madam
gb/mˈædəm/ us/mˈædəm/
A2
Anglais
~ 3900
Sens
0 sens
Nom
formal
A2
relation
1
Polite form of address for a woman
A polite word used when speaking to a woman you do not know.
Schéma d’usage :
[Yes/No], madam.
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'madam' with 'madame', which is French and used differently in English contexts.
Synonymes
ma'am (Common contraction used especially in American English; slightly less formal.)
Antonymes
sir (Used as the equivalent polite form of address for a man.)
Collocations
yes, madam
|no, madam
|excuse me, madam
Thèmes
daily life
|manners
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.'
Exemples pédagogiques
- Yes, madam, here is your coffee.
- No, madam, this seat is taken.
- Sorry, madam, the shop is closed.
Nom
B2
entity
2
Woman managing a brothel
A woman who is in charge of a place where people pay for sex.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] is a madam.
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse this meaning with the polite form of address; context usually clarifies.
Synonymes
brothel-keeper (More explicit and less euphemistic term.)
Collocations
brothel madam
|notorious madam
|former madam
Thèmes
crime
|sex
|society
|law
|relationships
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The police caught the madam.
- The madam runs the house.
- She is a madam in the city.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
madam
API
GB/mˈædəm/
US/mˈædəm/
Syllabes et accentuation
madam (1 syllabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (madam)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: madam
- Plural: madams
Famille de mots
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.
Exemples
- '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.
Exemples
- 'Could you send me the report today?' 'Yes, madam.'
- 'Is this your bag?' 'Yes, madam.'