madam
MA-duhm
Madam (noun) means a polite, formal way to address a woman. Example: “Excuse me, madam, is this seat taken?”
noun
1
A polite, formal way to address a woman.
"Excuse me, madam, is this seat taken?"
"The waiter asked, "Would madam like to see the wine list?""
"Thank you, madam, your table will be ready in a few minutes."
2
A woman who runs a brothel.
"The novel's villain was a madam running a string of illegal clubs."
3
(informal, dated) A girl or woman acting bossy or full of herself.
"Don't be such a madam about sharing your toys."
"My granny called me a cheeky little madam when I answered back."
"She's turned into a proper madam since she got her own bedroom."
How to use madam
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal title for a woman, similar to "sir" for a man — with a separate, unrelated slang sense for a brothel-keeper.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
dear madam
madam chairwoman
yes, madam
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Word forms
- Plural
- madams, mesdames
- Third person singular
- madams
- Past tense
- madamed, madammed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Excuse me, _____, is this seat taken?
Etymology
From Old French madame, literally "my lady", from Latin mea domina.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for madam
See all rhymes for madam →Frequently asked questions
What does “madam” mean?
The word “madam” means a polite, formal way to address a woman. In plain terms, a formal title for a woman, similar to "sir" for a man — with a separate, unrelated slang sense for a brothel-keeper.
How do you pronounce “madam”?
“Madam” is pronounced MA-duhm (/ˈmædəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “madam” in a sentence?
Here is “madam” used in a sentence: “Excuse me, madam, is this seat taken?”
What part of speech is “madam”?
“Madam” is a noun.
Where does the word “madam” come from?
The word “madam” comes from Latin. From Old French madame, literally "my lady", from Latin mea domina.
Is “madam” a common word?
“Madam” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “madam” have?
“Madam” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a polite, formal way to address a woman.
What is the difference between madam and ma'am?
Madam is the full, more formal form of address, often used in writing, letters, and very formal speech, while ma'am is a shortened, spoken version common in everyday polite conversation. Both are used to address a woman respectfully without using her name.
Is it rude to call a woman madam?
No, madam is a polite and formal term of address and is not rude when used in the right context, such as customer service, formal letters, or addressing an unfamiliar woman respectfully. It can sound overly formal or even old-fashioned in very casual settings.
Why does madam sometimes mean a woman who runs a brothel?
This is a separate, distinct sense of the word that developed from the polite address 'madam' being applied specifically to the woman in charge of such an establishment. Context makes clear which meaning is intended, since the polite address is by far the more common everyday use.
What does it mean when someone calls a girl 'a right madam'?
This is an informal, somewhat dated use where 'madam' describes a girl or woman who is acting bossy, spoiled, or full of herself. It is typically used in a mildly scolding or teasing way, often in British English.
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