madam

«madam» in Mova's school dictionary: a polite way to speak to a woman whose name you do not… — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples.

part of speech

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

meaning for a pupil

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 →

2) Madam is used before a title when speaking to a woman in an important job: Madam Chair, Madam President. tree →

3) (UK, informal) A little madam is a girl who is bossy, cheeky or spoilt. tree →

sense 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 →
• I began my letter with «Dear Sir or Madam». tree →
• Thank you, Madam Speaker. tree →
• Gran called my sister a little madam when she sulked. tree →
• «This way, madam,» said the usher. tree →
• Excuse me, madam, you dropped your glove. tree →

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».

Trees and pragmatics

Every meaning and example of «madam» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.