madame

[muh-dam, -dahm, ma-; mad-uh m; French ma-dam] /məˈdæm, -ˈdɑm, mæ-; ˈmæd əm; French maˈdam/

noun, plural mesdames

[mey-dam, -dahm; French mey-dam] /meɪˈdæm, -ˈdɑm; French meɪˈdam/ (Show IPA). (often initial capital letter)

a French title of respect equivalent to “Mrs.”, used alone or prefixed to a woman's married name or title:

Madame Curie.

(in English) a title of respect used in speaking to or of an older woman, especially one of distinction, who is not of American or British origin.

Abbreviation: Mme.

Origin

1590-1600; < French; see madam

Can be confused

madam, madame.

British Dictionary definitions for madame

madame

/ˈmædəm; French madam/

noun (pl) mesdames (ˈmeɪˌdæm; French) (medam)

a married Frenchwoman: usually used as a title equivalent to Mrs, and sometimes extended to older unmarried women to show respect and to women of other nationalities

Word Origin

C17: from French. See madam

Word Origin and History for madame

1590s, see madam, which is an earlier borrowing of the same French phrase. Originally a title of respect for a woman of rank, now given to any married woman. OED recommends madam as an English title, madame in reference to foreign women.