MA'AM

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does ma'am mean? 

• MA'AM (noun)
  The noun MA'AM has 1 sense:

1. a woman of refinement

  Familiarity information: MA'AM used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MA'AM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A woman of refinement

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

dame; gentlewoman; lady; ma'am; madam

Context example:

a chauffeur opened the door of the limousine for the grand lady

Hypernyms ("ma'am" is a kind of...):

adult female; woman (an adult female person (as opposed to a man))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "ma'am"):

grande dame (a middle-aged or elderly woman who is stylish and highly respected)

madame (title used for a married Frenchwoman)

 Context examples 

You will not find anything very agreeable in him, I assure you, ma'am.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

“Are you quite sure, ma'am?—is not there a little mistake?” said Jane.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Because I have been wrongly accused; and you, ma'am, and everybody else, will now think me wicked.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Yes, ma'am, I thank you; we could not have had a nicer day.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

And what do you say, ma'am, to the chance of another match?

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

“Well, but I really do wonder, ma'am,” said Peggotty.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"Excuse me, ma'am," he said the next moment "I was just s'prised some, that was all."

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

"How you do mean, ma'am?" asked the Professor.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

In an evil moment the shopman held up the lovely, shimmering folds, and said, "A bargain, I assure, you, ma'am."

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

“Should I send it to Mrs. Goddard's, ma'am?” asked Mrs. Ford.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)