# mademoiselle

/ˌmædəməˈzɛɫ/ (US) · /mˈædəməzˌɛl/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mademoiselle
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a polite way to address a young woman in French. It is similar to 'Miss' in English, but it is not used as much today as it was in the past.

For teachers: a title of address for a young woman, equivalent to 'Miss' in English. Historically common in French-speaking cultures, though its usage has declined in modern contexts.

## Examples

- The waiter greeted the customer as Mademoiselle.
- In older French novels, characters are often addressed as Mademoiselle to indicate their social status and age.
- While the term Mademoiselle is still recognized in formal French, it has largely been replaced by Madam or the more neutral Monsieur in contemporary professional settings.

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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.