madam

noun mad·am \ˈma-dəm\

—used to politely speak to a woman who you do not know

Madam —used at the start of a formal letter to a woman whose name you do not know

Madam —used when you are speaking to a woman who has a high rank or position

plural madams

Full Definition of MADAM

plural mes·dames \mā-ˈdäm, -ˈdam\ : lady —used without a name as a form of respectful or polite address to a woman

: mistress 1 —used as a title formerly with the given name but now with the surname or especially with a designation of rank or office <Madam Chairman> <Madam President>

: the female head of a house of prostitution

: the female head of a household : wife

See madam defined for English-language learners

See madam defined for kids

Origin of MADAM

Middle English, from Anglo-French ma dame, literally, my lady

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to MADAM

Synonyms: helpmate, helpmeet, lady, little woman, wife, missus (or missis), Mrs., old lady, wifey, woman [chiefly dialect]

Other Forms of Address Terms

appellation, beatitude, brethren, emeritus, esquire, sire, sous

Rhymes with MADAM

Adam

MADAM Defined for Kids

madam

noun mad·am \ˈma-dəm\

plural mes·dames \mā-ˈdäm, -ˈdam\

Definition of MADAM for Kids

—used without a name as a form of polite address to a woman <May I help you, madam?>

Headscratcher for MADAM

The word madam is spelled the same forwards and backwards. It is also part of a well-known phrase that is also spelled the same forwards and backwards: “Madam, I'm Adam.”