[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/madam/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [M](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/m/) / madam

# madam

noun (madam, madams; mesdames as a very formal plural)

«madam» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (polite) Madam is a polite way to speak to a woman whose name you do not know, used by shop staff, waiters and in letters: «Dear Madam». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/madam/#m1)
2. Madam is used before a title when speaking to a woman in an important job: Madam Chair, Madam President. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/madam/#m2)
3. (UK, informal) A little madam is a girl who is bossy, cheeky or spoilt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/madam/#m3)

### In the lessons

In shops and restaurants: «Can I help you, madam?» In formal letters: «Dear Sir or Madam». At home (UK): «Don't you speak to me like that, young madam!»

### Examples

- «Can I take your coat, madam?» asked the waiter. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/madam/#x1)
- I began my letter with «Dear Sir or Madam». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/madam/#x2)
- Thank you, Madam Speaker. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/madam/#x3)
- Gran called my sister a little madam when she sulked. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/madam/#x4)
- «This way, madam,» said the usher. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/madam/#x5)
- Excuse me, madam, you dropped your glove. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/madam/#x6)

### Note

Matching word for men: sir. «Ma'am» is a short form, very common in the USA and used for the Queen or King's family in the UK. Do not say «Madam Smith» in everyday English; use «Mrs/Ms Smith».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «madam» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/madam/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«madam» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/madam.html) on Mova free.