ma'am

== English == === Etymology === 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. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) (for British royalty) IPA(key): /ˈmæm/, [ˈmæm] (for British officials outside royalty) IPA(key): /ˈmɑːm/, [ˈmɑːm] (General American) (without æ-raising) IPA(key): /ˈmæm/, [ˈmæm] (æ-raising) IPA(key): /ˈmeə̯m/, [ˈmeə̯m]; /ˈmɛə̯m/, [ˈmɛə̯m] Rhymes: -æm, -ɑːm Hyphenation: ma'am === Noun === ma'am (plural ma'ams) A form of address for a woman: contraction of madam. Synonyms: 'm, marm A polite and formal way to address a woman. A respectful term of address to a woman of higher rank or position. (archaic) A title for a married woman. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:wife (archaic, US, education) A female schoolteacher; a schoolmarm. Synonym: schoolma'am ==== Usage notes ==== In British English and Australian English, madam and ma’am were originally used to address a married woman of equal or superior status to oneself (unless she was entitled to be addressed as “my Lady”). Ma'am has now become uncommon, although it is prescribed when addressing a queen: after first addressing her as “Your Majesty”, one uses ma’am. The word is still used to address female superiors who are members of royalty or in the armed forces and security services, as well as female teachers in grammar and public schools. In American English, madam as a form of address is limited to certain highly formal environments, while ma’am is used as a form of address toward (for example, but not strictly limited to) the following women, with usage varying according to region: One’s mother. A female customer whom one is serving. A female superior in the armed forces or security services. A female teacher or school official in a school which emphasizes formality. A female stranger presumed old enough to have children, particularly if older than the speaker. Especially in the southern (chiefly southeastern) and southwestern United States, a woman regardless of age or position to whom one wishes to express respect. In northern regions of the US, the term is less prevalent, and sometimes perceived negatively. In Philippine English, ma’am is followed by a given name or nickname to address women who are neither in the military nor security services, mainly in informal settings. South African English usage mirrors American English usage, except that ma’am is not used to address one’s mother. In South Asian English, ma'am is used to address female superiors in the armed forces and security services, and teachers. The use of yes, ma’am or yes’m connotes deference, particularly by one who has been scolded for misbehaviour but also in more friendly circumstances. ==== Alternative forms ==== mum ==== Coordinate terms ==== ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Descendants ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === ma'am (third-person singular simple present ma'ams, present participle ma'aming, simple past and past participle ma'amed) (transitive, informal) To address (a woman) as "ma'am". Coordinate terms: madam, sir ==== Translations ==== === References === === Further reading === madam on Wikipedia.Wikipedia === Anagrams === amma, ma ma, mama