plural problems

[balakrishnanijk]

What is the plural of the word "madam"? Is it "ladies"?

[udara sankalpa]

Hi there bala, I'm not a native or a teacher, but the word "madam" is an uncountable noun, and as such does not have a plural form.

Cheers
Udara

[Anglika]

There is a plural madams - it is explicitly used for women who keep brothels. Avoid it in general use!

The correct plural would be "mesdames". The word "madam" originates from the French "madame". While the final "e" has been lost, the French spelling of the plural has been retained.

[udara sankalpa]

Hi Anglika,
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but , are the words "madam" & "madame" not two different words? The word "madam" doesn't have a plural form whereas "madame" does.

Cheers
Udara

[Barb_D]

Hello Urdara,
"Madam" is a countable noun. As Anglika said, "madams" would refer to women who ran houses of prostitution.

[udara sankalpa]

Hi there
Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary says "madam" is an uncountable noun. So is it wrong then Barb?

Cheers
Udara

[Barb_D]

Perhaps Cambridge isn't thinking about brothels.

Regardless, if you were speaking to more than one woman and you said "Madam" and thought you were addressing all of them, you would be mistaken.