mam

Everyday

1. (informal, UK – Wales, the north of England; Ireland) Mother; another word for «mum» or «mam». tree →
2. Sometimes a spelling of «ma'am» (madam), a polite way to speak to a woman, especially in the USA. tree →

In the lessons

Children in Wales, Northern England, Ireland and Scotland may call their mother «Mam». In stories set there, it shows where the family comes from. In the US, «ma'am» is how you politely address a woman or a teacher. Phrases: «my mam», «me mam» (dialect), «yes, ma'am».

Examples

• «Mam, can I go out to play?» tree →
• My mam makes the best soup in Cardiff. tree →
• «Me mam says I have to be home by six,» said Liam. tree →
• Our mam works at the hospital. tree →
• «Thank you, ma'am,» said the boy to the lady at the shop. tree →
• When I fell over, I shouted for my mam. tree →

Note

Regional and informal. Like «Mum», it gets a capital when used as a name («Mam, help!») but not after «my» («my mam»). Other forms: mum (UK), mom (USA, Canada), mummy, mommy, ma. «Ma'am» (with an apostrophe) is a shortened «madam», not a word for mother.