ma'am

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ma'am

/ˈmæm/ UK
[ˈmæm] UK
/ˈmɑːm/ UK
[ˈmɑːm] UK
/ˈmæm/ US
[ˈmæm] US
/ˈmeə̯m/ US
[ˈmeə̯m] US
/ˈmɛə̯m/ US
[ˈmɛə̯m] US

Rhymes with -æm, -ɑːm

Where it comes from

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.

noun ma'ams · mum

A form of address for a woman: contraction of madam. Madam me no Madam, but learn to retrench your vvords; and ſay Mam; as yes Mam, and no Mam, as other Ladies VVomen do. Madam! 'tis a year in pronouncing.
Similar: 'm, marm
A polite and formal way to address a woman. Ma'am, will you be attending the dinner this evening?
A respectful term of address to a woman of higher rank or position. – Sergeant, have the platoon in formation and ready for inspection at 0800. – Aye aye, ma'am.
archaic A title for a married woman. That is Ma'am Smith, the matriarch of the Smith families.
Similar: ball and chain, better half, boss, bride, dutch, 'er indoors, frow, geezer, her indoors, lady, little woman, little lady
US, archaic A female schoolteacher; a schoolmarm.
Similar: schoolma'am

verb ma'ams · ma'aming · ma'amed

informal, transitive To address (a woman) as "ma'am". ["]And, fellas, I've got to tell you that your Texas manners are perfect. Y'all have about ma'amed me to death. But you can call me Lucy from here on out. Got it?" / "Yes, ma'am—I mean, Lucy," Joseph complied, taking the sledgehammer and grinning as he looked from it to the blue wall.

Translations

Every language

noun chiefly used as a form of address: contraction of madam — see also madam

한국어	아주머니 ajumeoni, 아줌마 ajumma
日本語	婦人 fujin, 小母さん obasan
中文	美女 měinǚ
हिन्दी	महोदया mahodyā
Ελληνικά	κυρία kyría
Română	doamnă
Русский	мэм mɛm, мада́м madám, ба́рыня bárynja, боя́рыня bojárynja, госпожа́ gospožá, госуда́рыня gosudárynja

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MLA

"ma'am." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/ma'am. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

ma'am. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/ma'am

Chicago

"ma'am." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/ma'am.

BibTeX

@misc{ma_am_2026,
  title = {ma'am},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/ma'am},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}