madam
gb/mˈædəm/ us/mˈædəm/
A2
English
~ 3900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
A2
relation
1
Polite form of address for a woman
A polite word used when speaking to a woman you do not know.
Usage pattern:
[Yes/No], madam.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'madam' with 'madame', which is French and used differently in English contexts.
Synonyms
ma'am (Common contraction used especially in American English; slightly less formal.)
Antonyms
sir (Used as the equivalent polite form of address for a man.)
Collocations
yes, madam
|no, madam
|excuse me, madam
Themes
daily life
|manners
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Yes, madam, I will bring your order right away.
- Excuse me, madam, you dropped your scarf.
- The officer said, 'No, madam, you cannot park here.'
Learner examples
- Yes, madam, here is your coffee.
- No, madam, this seat is taken.
- Sorry, madam, the shop is closed.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Woman managing a brothel
A woman who is in charge of a place where people pay for sex.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a madam.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with the polite form of address; context usually clarifies.
Synonyms
brothel-keeper (More explicit and less euphemistic term.)
Collocations
brothel madam
|notorious madam
|former madam
Themes
crime
|sex
|society
|law
|relationships
Examples
- The police arrested the madam along with several employees.
- She was once the most famous madam in the city.
- The book tells the story of a young woman who became a madam.
Learner examples
- The police caught the madam.
- The madam runs the house.
- She is a madam in the city.
Grammar
Expressions
no, madam
1/nˈoʊ | mˈædəm/
fixed phrase
formal
Formal refusal to a woman
A polite way to say no to a woman in formal situations.
Examples
- 'Do you have my file?' 'No, madam.'
- 'Is this your umbrella?' 'No, madam.'
yes, madam
1/jˈɛs | mˈædəm/
fixed phrase
formal
Formal agreement to a woman
A polite way to say yes to a woman in formal situations.
Examples
- 'Could you send me the report today?' 'Yes, madam.'
- 'Is this your bag?' 'Yes, madam.'