Synonyms

madame

American

[muh-dam, -dahm, ma-, mad-uhm, ma-dam] / məˈdæm, -ˈdɑm, mæ-, ˈmæd əm, maˈdam /

noun

(often initial capital letter)

plural

mesdames

a French title of respect equivalent to “Mrs.”, used alone or prefixed to a woman's married name or title.

Madame Curie.
(in English) a title of respect used in speaking to or of an older woman, especially one of distinction, who is not of American or British origin. Mme.

madame British

/ madam, ˈmædəm /

noun

a married Frenchwoman: usually used as a title equivalent to Mrs, and sometimes extended to older unmarried women to show respect and to women of other nationalities

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of madame

From French, dating back to 1590–1600; madam

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I . . . I . . . I do not know, madame,” said Major Puff.

From Literature

"We are here to support you! Life is beautiful, madame!" says another.

From BBC

“Clearly I have been away too long. But madame, you surely do look familiar. . . .”

From Literature

“I am pleased to be properly introduced to you, madame. Though I must say, this is all rather unexpected.”

From Literature

The menu features an eclectic mix of luxurious-feeling dishes: a croissant madame with kimchi, French onion soup with duck stock, a smoked cod and chili oil-topped bagel.

From Seattle Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023