ma'am

[ mam, mahm; unstressed muhm ]
See synonyms for ma'am on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. (in Britain) a term used in addressing the queen or a royal princess.

Origin of ma'am

1
First recorded in 1660–70; by contraction

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use ma'am in a sentence

  • "No, ma'am," returned Genevieve, with calm truthfulness and a merry smile.

    The Sunbridge Girls at Six Star Ranch | Eleanor H. (Eleanor Hodgman) Porter
  • Most of them, ma'am, but some was regular hussies; not only a-livin' with their fellers—but havin' a good time, too.

  • "I don't know, ma'am," and Molly's vacant stare proved her a good actress, and one determined not to give away any information.

    In the Onyx Lobby | Carolyn Wells

British Dictionary definitions for ma'am

ma'am

/ (mæm, mɑːm, unstressed məm) /


noun
  1. short for madam

usage For ma'am

Ma'am is used as a title of respect, especially when addressing female royalty

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