noun

mademoiselle

ma-duhm-wuh-ZEHL

Mademoiselle (noun) means a polite title for an unmarried woman or young girl, especially in France. Example: “The waiter greeted her with "Bonjour, mademoiselle.”

noun

A polite title for an unmarried woman or young girl, especially in France.

"The waiter greeted her with "Bonjour, mademoiselle.""

"She was addressed as mademoiselle throughout her stay in Paris."

How to use mademoiselle

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe French equivalent of "Miss", used for unmarried women.

When to use it

Used in English mainly for effect or when discussing French culture, rather than as everyday address.

Word forms

mademoiselled past tense, mademoiselles plural, mesdemoiselles plural, mademoiselles singular

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The waiter greeted her with "Bonjour, _____."

Etymology

Borrowed directly from French, literally "my damsel".

Origin: French

Synonyms

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silver perch

Rhymes for mademoiselle

Elle belle Delle Helle Nelle Noelle Joelle gazelle Estelle Giselle Janelle Michelle

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Frequently asked questions

What does “mademoiselle” mean?

The word “mademoiselle” means a polite title for an unmarried woman or young girl, especially in France. In plain terms, the French equivalent of "Miss", used for unmarried women.

How do you pronounce “mademoiselle”?

“Mademoiselle” is pronounced ma-duhm-wuh-ZEHL (/ˌmæ.dəm.wəˈzɛl/ in IPA).

How do you use “mademoiselle” in a sentence?

Here is “mademoiselle” used in a sentence: “The waiter greeted her with "Bonjour, mademoiselle.".”

What part of speech is “mademoiselle”?

“Mademoiselle” is a noun.

Where does the word “mademoiselle” come from?

The word “mademoiselle” comes from French. Borrowed directly from French, literally "my damsel".