Madam and madame look almost the same, and both mean “lady” in some sense. In English, you use madam as a polite way to address a woman. You use madame for French-speaking women, French titles, and a few fixed names.
Both words come from the French ma dame, which means “my lady.” English took in the word early as madam. The French form madame later came into English as well, and the two kept different jobs.
When to use madam
Use madam when you speak to a woman politely, or when you write a formal letter and do not know her name.
- “Can I help you, madam?”
- “Dear Sir or Madam,”
- “Thank you, madam. Your table is ready.”
It is also part of some formal titles in English:
- Madam Chair
- Madam President
- Madam Speaker
In Singapore and Malaysia, “Madam” is also used before a woman’s name, as in “Madam Halimah.” This is standard there, though it is less common in American and British English.
Madam has two other meanings you may meet:
- A woman who runs a brothel. This is the older, more negative meaning.
- A bossy or cheeky girl. In British English, people say “a right little madam” about a child or young woman who is being rude or too confident. This is informal.
When to use madame
Use madame when you mean the French title or when a name requires it.
- It is the French equivalent of “Mrs.” or “Ms.” In writing, it is shortened to Mme.
- It appears before the names of French-speaking women: Madame Curie, Madame de Pompadour.
- It appears in fixed names and titles: Madame Bovary, Madame Tussauds, Madame Butterfly.
- It fits when you write or speak in French: “Bonjour, madame.”
The plural of madame is mesdames (abbreviated Mmes). English speakers also use it in formal or playful speech, as in “Ladies and gentlemen” rendered as “Mesdames et messieurs.”
Madam vs madame at a glance
| Madam | Madame | |
| Language | English | French |
| Common use | Polite address to a woman | Title before a French woman’s name |
| Written form | Madam | Madame or Mme |
| Plural | Madams (or mesdames in formal use) | Mesdames |
| Example | “Excuse me, madam.” | “Madame Curie won two Nobel Prizes.” |
How to choose
Ask one question: Is this French, or part of a French name?
- If yes, use madame.
- If no, and you are addressing or writing to a woman politely in English, use madam.
A simple test: “Madame Bovary” is the title of a French novel, so the French spelling stays. “Yes, madam” is plain English politeness, so it takes the shorter spelling.
Pronunciation
Madam is pronounced MAD-um.
Madame has more than one pronunciation in English. Many speakers say it like the French, with stress at the end: muh-DAM or ma-DAHM. Some English speakers say MAD-um for it too, especially in older or British usage. If you are saying a French name, a French-style pronunciation is the safer choice.
Common mistakes
Using madame in an ordinary English letter. “Dear Sir or Madame” is usually seen as a slip. In English, write “Dear Sir or Madam.”
Using madam before a French name. “Madam Curie” is understood, but “Madame Curie” is the standard form for a French or French-linked name.
Treating the two as one word with a spelling difference. They are separate words in English, with separate jobs, even though they share a source.
Quick takeaway
Use madam for polite English address and formal titles. Use madame (or Mme) for French usage and French names. If you are unsure and writing to a woman in English, madam is the right choice.
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