# madam

/ˈmædəm/ (US) · /mˈædəm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/madam
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. formal address

noun · CEFR B1 · Formal

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

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

- May I help you find your seat, madam?
- The concierge addressed her as madam throughout the check-in process, maintaining a level of traditional formality expected at the five-star establishment.

### 2. difficult girl

noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Informal

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

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

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

### 3. brothel manager

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang

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

For teachers: a woman who manages a brothel and its workers.

- The police arrested the madam during a raid on the illegal club.
- The documentary explored the life of a notorious madam who had operated several high-end establishments in the city for over two decades.

### 4. Singaporean title

noun · CEFR B2 · Dialect

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

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

- Madam Tan has lived in this apartment building for forty years.
- In official Singaporean documents, the woman was referred to as Madam Lee to acknowledge her status as a respected elder in the community.

### 5. to address as madam

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal

to call someone madam when you speak to them.

For teachers: to address a woman using the formal honorific 'madam'.

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

## Examples

- May I take your coat, madam?
- The waiter bowed slightly and asked if madam was ready to order her main course.
- In formal business correspondence where the recipient's name is unknown, the salutation 'Dear Madam' remains a standard, albeit increasingly traditional, opening.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.