mesdames: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Very formal
Quick answer
What does “mesdames” mean?
The plural form of 'madam', used as a formal title of respect when addressing or referring to multiple women.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The plural form of 'madam', used as a formal title of respect when addressing or referring to multiple women.
Used to politely address a group of women collectively, often in formal or public settings. Also appears in the names of businesses, partnerships, or artistic groups consisting of women.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in terms of meaning and formality. It is more likely to be encountered in highly formal contexts like state ceremonies, classical theatre, or legal settings in the UK. In the US, it might be seen in specific formal invitations or the names of high-end female-owned partnerships (e.g., 'Mesdames Smith and Jones, Attorneys at Law').
Connotations
Connotes extreme formality, antiquity, or a deliberate evocation of French/Continental sophistication. Can sound archaic or humorously stiff if used in modern, casual contexts.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties. More likely found in written, formulaic language than in speech.
Grammar
How to Use “mesdames” in a Sentence
[Mesdames] + [Surname and Surname] (e.g., Mesdames Curie and Pankhurst)Ladies and [Gentlemen] (a more common pairing)[Address] + [Mesdames] (as a vocative at the start of a speech)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
On formal correspondence or nameplates for a female-led partnership (e.g., 'Mesdames A. Black & C. White, Consultants').
Academic
Virtually never used. A professor might jocularly use 'Mesdames' when addressing a seminar of all female students.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would sound comically formal.
Technical
No specific technical usage.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mesdames”
- Pronouncing it as /ˈmɛz.deɪmz/ (anglicised).
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'The mesdames arrived' is wrong).
- Using it in informal settings where 'ladies' or everyone's names would be appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is reserved for highly formal, written, or ceremonial contexts. In everyday speech, 'ladies' is the standard term.
Pronounce it as 'may-DAM'. It is a direct borrowing from French, so the final 's' is silent and the stress is on the second syllable.
Absolutely not. 'Mesdames' is exclusively plural. The singular form is 'Madam' (or 'Madame' if using the French title).
The direct male equivalent is 'Messieurs' (pronounced 'mess-YUR'), which is the plural of 'Monsieur'. However, in English, 'Gentlemen' is the far more common formal plural address for men.
The plural form of 'madam', used as a formal title of respect when addressing or referring to multiple women.
Mesdames is usually very formal in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the French phrase 'Mesdames et Messieurs' (Ladies and Gentlemen) heard at the start of formal events or performances.
Conceptual Metaphor
FORMALITY IS DISTANCE: The word creates social distance through its foreign, pluralized formality.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'Mesdames' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?