madam
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.a polite and formal way to speak to a woman you do not know.
n.a formal form of address for a woman, often used by service staff or in professional correspondence.
Simple“May I help you find your seat, madam?”
In context“The concierge addressed her as madam throughout the check-in process, maintaining a level of traditional formality expected at the five-star establishment.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a girl or young woman who is bossy, rude, or thinks she is very important.
n.a colloquial and often pejorative term for a conceited, precocious, or quarrelsome young girl.
Simple“She is being a little madam today and refuses to share her toys.”
In context“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.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
n.a woman who is in charge of a house where people pay for sex.
n.a woman who manages a brothel and its workers.
Simple“The police arrested the madam during a raid on the illegal club.”
In context“The documentary explored the life of a notorious madam who had operated several high-end establishments in the city for over two decades.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a title used in Singapore for a married or older woman.
n.a polite title used in Singaporean English before a woman's name, often abbreviated as Mdm.
Simple“Madam Tan has lived in this apartment building for forty years.”
In context“In official Singaporean documents, the woman was referred to as Madam Lee to acknowledge her status as a respected elder in the community.”
Synonymsmrsms - 05 C2 Proficiency
v.to call someone madam when you speak to them.
v.to address a woman using the formal honorific 'madam'.
Simple“The waiter continued to madam her even after she asked him to be more casual.”
In context“He found it necessary to madam the client throughout the negotiation to ensure he did not cause any unintended offense.”
UsageThe verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
From Middle English madame, from Old French madame, from ma (“my”) + dame (“lady”), from post-classical Latin mea domina. Doublet of Madonna.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.