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Synonyms

ma'am

American  
[mam, mahm, muhm] / mæm, mɑm, məm /

noun

  1. madam.

  2. (in Britain) a term used in addressing the queen or a royal princess.

ma'am British  
/ mɑːm, mæm, məm /

noun

  1. short for madam

"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

Usage

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

Etymology

Origin of ma'am

First recorded in 1660–70; by contraction

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Get out there and get on with your day, ma’am or sir!

From Slate • Jul. 26, 2025

At the time, her friends saw no reason to doubt her, with one even jokingly calling her "ma'am" in a WhatsApp message.

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2024

“Move that mic please or just get out the circle please for me, please ma’am, if you’re not subscribed to my pod,” Beverley said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2024

“No ma’am, I think we still need conversations,” said Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, when asked if she would vote to nominate Jordan.

From Salon • Oct. 17, 2023

Ms. Janice didn't seem to mind the "Ms." as long as I didn't call her Ms. James, which was her last name, or "ma'am."

From "When I Was the Greatest" by Jason Reynolds

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.