English Explanatory Dictionary

ma'am

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A form of address for a woman: contraction of madam.
  2. A polite and formal way to address a woman.
  3. A respectful term of address to a woman of higher rank or position.
  4. A title for a married woman.
  5. (US, education) A female schoolteacher; a schoolmarm.
verb
  1. To address (a woman) as "ma'am".

Pronunciation

/mæm/ /mɑːm/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-ma'am.wav [mɛəm] [meəm] En-us-ma'am.oga

Word forms

ma'am ma'ams mum ma'aming ma'amed

Etymology

The noun is a contraction of madam, and represents a regional pronunciation of that word in the United Kingdom. The verb is derived from the noun.

Synonyms

'm marm ball and chain better half boss bride dutch 'er indoors frow geezer her indoors lady little woman little lady memsahib missus old lady old woman trouble trouble and strife wife wifekin wifelet wifeling wifey schoolma'am

Related words

ma'amselle

Derived words

gori mem grandma'am 'm ma'am sandwich ma'am, this is an Arby's ma'am, this is a Wendy's mamsir marm memsahib no'm schoolma'amish schoolmarmish schoolma'am schoolmarm schoolmarmishly schoolmarmishness schoolmarmy thank-you-ma'am wham, bam, thank you ma'am yas'm yes'm yessum yes ma'am
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