madame
gb/mədˈæm/ us/mədˈæm/
B1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
B1
role
1
French title for a woman
A polite French word used before a woman’s name.
Usage pattern:
Madame + [surname] / Madame + [name]
Common mistake:
In English, the more common spelling for direct address is usually madam; madame is often used for French contexts or French names.
Synonyms
Mrs. (Closest English title, but not used for French names.)
|
Ms. (Gendered title without specifying marital status; not a direct translation in all contexts.)
Collocations
Madame Curie
|Madame Bovary
|Madame + surname
|Dear Madame
|Madame + first name
|Madame la ministre
Themes
language
|society
|politeness
Examples
- We met Madame Dupont at the reception after the lecture.
- The museum is showing a special exhibition about Madame Curie.
- Please address the letter to Madame Lefèvre.
Learner examples
- Madame Martin is my teacher.
- I spoke to Madame Dupont.
Noun
formal
B2
role
2
Formal address to a woman
A very polite word used when speaking to a woman.
Usage pattern:
[Madame], + [statement/question]
Common mistake:
Learners often use madame where English normally uses ma'am (spoken) or madam (more common spelling).
Synonyms
madam (More standard spelling in English for direct address.)
|
ma'am (Common spoken form, especially in American English.)
Collocations
Excuse me, madame
|Yes, madame
|No, madame
|Madame, please
|Madame, your table is ready
Themes
politeness
|customer_service
|communication
Examples
- Excuse me, madame, I think you dropped your card.
- Madame, your table is ready.
- Madame, may I see your ticket, please?
Learner examples
- Madame, can you help me?
- Excuse me, madame.
Noun
slang
C1
role
3
Woman who runs a brothel
A woman who controls or manages a brothel.
Usage pattern:
the madame (of/at) [place]
Common mistake:
Often confused with the polite title Madame; context usually makes the meaning clear.
Synonyms
madam (More common spelling in this sense in modern English.)
|
brothel keeper (More explicit and neutral description.)
Collocations
brothel madame
|the madame of the house
|a former madame
|the madame greeted them
|run by a madame
Themes
crime
|sex
|history
|fiction
Examples
- In the novel, the madame keeps a strict set of rules for everyone in the house.
- Police questioned the madame after the raid on the brothel.
- The film portrays the madame as a shrewd businesswoman.
Grammar
Dictionary form
madame
IPA
GB/mədˈæm/
US/mədˈæm/
Syllables & stress
ma - dame (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (dame)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: madame
- Plural: madames
Word family
Forms
madames
noun
Core family
madam
noun A2
Expressions
dear madame
1/dˈɪɹ mədˈæm/
fixed phrase
formal
Formal letter greeting to a woman
A formal way to start a letter to a woman.
Examples
- I began the email with 'Dear Madame,' because I did not know her title preference.
- The invitation opened with the greeting 'Dear Madame,' followed by the event details.
madame president
1/mədˈæm pɹˈɛzɪdənt/
fixed phrase
formal
Title for a female president
A formal way to speak to a woman who is president.
Examples
- Madame President, thank you for giving me the floor.
- Madame President, I have a question about the proposal.
- The ambassador addressed her as Madame President during the ceremony.
madame speaker
1/mədˈæm spˈikɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
Title for a female speaker
A formal way to speak to a female Speaker in a parliament.
Examples
- Madame Speaker, I rise to support the amendment.
- Madame Speaker, please restore order in the chamber.