First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
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
1
plural mes·dames \mā-ˈdäm, -ˈdam\ : lady —used without a name as a form of respectful or polite address to a woman
2
: 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>
3
: the female head of a house of prostitution
4
: the female head of a household : wife
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Origin of MADAM
Middle English, from Anglo-French ma dame, literally, my lady
Related to MADAM
Rhymes with MADAM
MADAMS 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.”
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