madame

Madame is a formal courtesy title used to address or refer to a woman. It originates from the Old French ma dame, meaning "my lady," and has spread into many languages with variations in form and use. In modern French, Madame is abbreviated Mme and placed before a surname or full name (for example, Madame Dupont). It serves as the standard respectful form for adult women and is distinct from Mademoiselle, which historically indicated an unmarried woman, though French policy has shifted toward equal treatment in many contexts.

In English, the word appears in two main ways. Madame (often with an accented é) is used in contexts that require a French flavor or ceremonial formality, such as addressing a foreign dignitary or in the names of households, places, or institutions that seek a French tone. Madam or madam, without the accent, is the common English direct form of address in ordinary speech and writing and is used for women generally, without reference to marital status. The hyphenation or punctuation can vary by style guide, but the purpose remains courtesy and respect.

Madame also appears in cultural and literary usage as part of titles, character names, or references that invoke elegance, authority, or European settings. As with many courtesy titles, its use can signal social context, formality, and cultural association, while modern usage often emphasizes respect and neutrality.