ENGLISH
REFERENCE

madam

n. · v.
US //ˈmædəm// UK //mˈædəm// madam
  1. 1 formal address (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Formal

    a polite and formal way to speak to a woman you do not know.

    a formal form of address for a woman, often used by service staff or in professional correspondence.

    Example

    May I help you find your seat, madam?

    Example

    The concierge addressed her as madam throughout the check-in process, maintaining a level of traditional formality expected at the five-star establishment.
  2. 2 difficult girl (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English Informal

    a girl or young woman who is bossy, rude, or thinks she is very important.

    a colloquial and often pejorative term for a conceited, precocious, or quarrelsome young girl.

    Example

    She is being a little madam today and refuses to share her toys.

    Example

    The teacher noted that while the student was bright, she could be quite a little madam when she didn't get her way during group activities.
Show 3 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 brothel manager (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang

    a woman who is in charge of a house where people pay for sex.

    a woman who manages a brothel and its workers.

    Example

    The police arrested the madam during a raid on the illegal club.

    Example

    The documentary explored the life of a notorious madam who had operated several high-end establishments in the city for over two decades.

  2. 4 Singaporean title (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Dialect

    a title used in Singapore for a married or older woman.

    a polite title used in Singaporean English before a woman's name, often abbreviated as Mdm.

    Example

    Madam Tan has lived in this apartment building for forty years.

    Example

    In official Singaporean documents, the woman was referred to as Madam Lee to acknowledge her status as a respected elder in the community.
  3. 5 to address as madam (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal

    to call someone madam when you speak to them.

    to address a woman using the formal honorific 'madam'.

    Example

    The waiter continued to madam her even after she asked him to be more casual.

    Example

    He found it necessary to madam the client throughout the negotiation to ensure he did not cause any unintended offense.

    Usage

    The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

Origin

From Middle English madame, from Old French madame, from ma (“my”) + dame (“lady”), from post-classical Latin mea domina. Doublet of Madonna.

© 2026 English Reference