Lady vs. Madam

By Jaxson

Main Difference

The main difference between Lady and Madam is that the Lady is a term for a woman and Madam is a polite form of address for women, especially in American English.

  • Lady

    The word lady is a term of respect for a woman, the equivalent of gentleman. Once used to describe only women of a high social class or status, now it may refer to any adult woman. Informal use of this word is sometimes euphemistic (“lady of the night” for a prostitute) or, in American slang, condescending (equivalent to “mister”).

    “Lady” is also a formal title in the United Kingdom. “Lady” is used before the family name of a woman with a title of nobility or honorary title suo jure (in her own right), or the wife of a lord, a baronet, laird, or a knight, and also before the first name of the daughter of a duke, marquess, or earl.

  • Madam

    Madam , or, as French, madame or , is a polite form of address for women, often contracted to ma’am . The abbreviation is “Mme” or “Mme” or “Mdm” and the plural is mesdames (abbreviated “Mmes” or “Mmes” or “Mdms”). The term was borrowed from the French madame (French pronunciation: ​[maˈdam]), which means “my lady”.

Wikipedia
  • Lady (noun)

    The mistress of a household.

  • Lady (noun)

    A woman of breeding or higher class, a woman of authority.

    “”I would like the dining room to be fully set by tonight; would you do so?” “Yes, my lady”.”

  • Lady (noun)

    The feminine of lord.

  • Lady (noun)

    A title for someone married to a lord.

  • Lady (noun)

    A title for somebody married to a gentleman.

  • Lady (noun)

    A title that can be used instead of the formal terms of marchioness, countess, viscountess{{, or baroness.}}

  • Lady (noun)

    A woman: an adult female human.

    “Please direct this lady to the soft furnishings department.”

  • Lady (noun)

    A polite reference or form of address to women.

    “Ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure to be here today. Follow me, ladies!”

  • Lady (noun)

    Used to address a female.

    “Hey, lady, move your car!”

  • Lady (noun)

    Toilets intended for use by women.

  • Lady (noun)

    A wife or girlfriend; a sweetheart.

  • Lady (noun)

    A woman to whom the particular homage of a knight was paid; a woman to whom one is devoted or bound.

  • Lady (noun)

    A queen the playing card.

  • Lady (noun)

    Who is a woman.

    “A lady doctor.”

  • Lady (noun)

    alternative form of Lady.

  • Lady (noun)

    The triturating apparatus in the stomach of a lobster, consisting of calcareous plates; so called from a fancied resemblance to a seated female figure.

  • Lady (noun)

    A five-pound note. (Rhyming slang, Lady Godiva for fiver.)

  • Lady (noun)

    A woman’s breast.

  • Madam (noun)

    A polite form of address for a woman or lady.

    “Mrs Grey wondered if the outfit she was trying on made her look fat. The sales assistant just said, “It suits you, madam”.”

    “Later, Mrs Grey was sitting in her favourite tea shop. “Would madam like the usual cream cakes and patisserie with her tea?” the waitress asked.”

  • Madam (noun)

    The mistress of a household.

  • Madam (noun)

    A conceited or quarrelsome girl.

    “Selina kept pushing and shoving during musical chairs. The nursery school teacher said she was a bad-tempered little madam.”

  • Madam (noun)

    A woman who runs a brothel, particularly one that specializes in finding prostitutes for rich and important clients.

    “After she grew too old to work as a prostitute, she became a madam.””

  • Madam (verb)

    To address as “madam”.

Wiktionary

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