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Madam Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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madam

[ˈmædəm ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

formal

A polite way of addressing a woman, especially one in a position of authority or respect.

Synonyms

Mrs., lady, ma'am.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
madam

Formal situations or when addressing a woman in a position of authority or respect.

  • Good evening, Madam President.
  • Madam, may I have a word with you?
ma'am

Informal but respectful address for a woman, often used by service providers or in military settings.

  • Can I help you with anything, ma'am?
  • Thank you for your service, ma'am.
lady

Polite and respectful address for a woman, often used in social or informal settings.

  • Excuse me, young lady, you dropped your wallet.
  • Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our guest speaker.
Mrs.

Formal title used before the last name of a married woman.

  • Mrs. Smith will be joining the meeting shortly.
  • I’d like to introduce you to Mrs. Johnson.

Examples of usage

  • Good evening, madam. How may I assist you today?
  • Madam President, we need your guidance on this matter.
  • The madam of the house graciously welcomed all the guests.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, addressing a woman as 'madam' reflects respect and courtesy.
  • The term can also denote authority in situations like customer service, where staff might refer to women as 'madam' to be polite.
  • 'Madam' is often associated with formal settings, like business meetings or ceremonies.

Literature

  • Writers like Jane Austen and Charles Dickens often used the term to depict social hierarchies.
  • The use of 'madam' in letters or dialogue often indicated the character's level of politeness or social class.
  • In literature, the term has been employed to create a sense of respect or admiration towards female characters.

Social Norms

  • Using 'madam' can vary depending on context; some younger generations might find it outdated.
  • In modern times, some women prefer to be addressed by their names, so context matters here.
  • 'Madam' can also be used playfully or sarcastically in informal conversations.

Pop Culture

  • 'Madam' has been used in various films and TV shows to portray powerful or authoritative female figures.
  • In the music industry, the term can appear in lyrics to evoke respect towards women.
  • Certain characters in popular books or movies are often introduced with the title 'madam' to reflect their role or status.

Origin of 'madam'

Main points about word origin

  • 'Madam' comes from the French word 'ma dame,' which means 'my lady.'
  • The term has been used in English since at least the 15th century to show respect.
  • It originally indicated a woman of high status or noble birth.

The word 'madam' originated from the French term 'madame', which means 'my lady'. It was initially used as a term of respect or politeness towards women of high social standing. Over time, 'madam' has become a common form of address for women in formal or polite contexts, indicating courtesy and respect.

See also: mad, madame, madly, madness.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,081, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.