ma'am

[mam, mahm; unstressed muh m] /mæm, mɑm; unstressed məm/

noun

madam (def 1).

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

Origin

1660-70; by contraction

Examples from the web for ma'am

The baggers in the grocery store all politely called me ma'am.

British Dictionary definitions for ma'am

ma'am

/mæm; mɑːm; unstressed məm/

noun

short for madam

Usage note

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

Word Origin and History for ma'am

also maam, 1660s, colloquial shortening of madam (q.v.). Formerly the ordinary respectful form of address to a married woman; later restricted to the queen and royal princesses or used by servants to their mistresses.

Slang definitions & phrases for ma'am

ma'am

Related Terms

wham-bam thank you ma'am