Mam vs. Madam — What's the Difference?
![](webp/mam-vs-madam-6514.webp)
Difference Between Mam and Madam
ADVERTISEMENT
Definitions
Mam
One's mother
My mam would have had a fit if I'd gone out dressed like that
I had to look after the other children while Mam worked
Madam
Madam Used as a form of polite address for a woman
Right this way, madam.
Mam
A Mayan language spoken by the Mam people
Madam
Madam (), or madame ( or ), is a polite and formal form of address for women, often contracted to ma'am (pronounced in American English and in British English). The term derives from the French madame (French pronunciation: [maˈdam]); in French, ma dame literally means "my lady".
Mam
A term of respectful or polite address used for any woman
‘You all ride them horses down here?’ ‘Yes, mam.’
ADVERTISEMENT
Madam
Pl. Mes·dames (mā-dăm, -däm) Used formerly as a courtesy title before a woman's given name but now used only before a surname or title indicating rank or office
Madam Ambassador.
Mam
Mum, mom; diminutive of mother.
Madam
Used as a salutation in a letter
Dear Madam or Sir.
Mam
Mamma.
Madam
Madam The mistress of a household.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mam
A member of a Mayan people of southwestern Guatemala
Madam
Madam A woman who manages a brothel.
Madam
A polite form of address for a woman or lady.
Mrs Grey wondered if the outfit she was trying on made her look fat. The sales assistant just said, “It suits you, madam”.
Later, Mrs Grey was sitting in her favourite tea shop. “Would madam like the usual cream cakes and patisserie with her tea?” the waitress asked.
Madam
The mistress of a household.
Madam
(colloquial) A conceited or quarrelsome girl.
Selina kept pushing and shoving during musical chairs. The nursery school teacher said she was a bad-tempered little madam.
Madam
(slang) A woman who runs a brothel, particularly one that specializes in finding prostitutes for rich and important clients.
After she grew too old to work as a prostitute, she became a madam.
Madam
An irritable, conceited, or contemptous woman. (used as a general term of abuse).
Madam
(transitive) To address as "madam".
Madam
A gentlewoman; - an appellation or courteous form of address given to a lady, especially an elderly or a married lady; - much used in the address, at the beginning of a letter, to a woman. The corresponding word in addressing a man is Sir; often abbreviated ma'am when used as a term of address.
Madam
The woman who is in charge of a household.
Madam
The woman who is in charge of a brothel.
Madam
A woman of refinement;
A chauffeur opened the door of the limousine for the grand lady
Madam
A woman who runs a house of prostitution