Etymology Map
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Madam

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a polite form of address for a woman

Where does the word "madam" come from? It comes from Latin mea domina, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
mea domina
Latin · ancient
"my lady"
'domina', lady, feminine of 'dominus', lord
2
Stage 2 of 3
ma dame
Old French · medieval
"my lady"
a polite address to a noblewoman
3
Stage 3 of 3
madam
English · 1200s
"polite title"
'Madame' was later borrowed again from modern French
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Read the full story

Madam’s story begins in Latin: mea domina meant “my lady.” 'domina', lady, feminine of 'dominus', lord. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as ma dame. A polite address to a noblewoman. It reached English by 1200s as madam. 'Madame' was later borrowed again from modern French. Today, madam means a polite form of address for a woman.