memsahib

/ˈmɛmsɑːb/; /ˈmɛmsæb/

Definitions

1. noun

A British colonial wife or a European woman living in India, often used as a term of respect.

“The memsahib of the house greeted the guests with tea and cookies.”

2. noun

A respectful or polite term for a woman, especially in South Asian cultures.

“The shopkeeper addressed the elderly woman as ‘memsahib’, showing respect for her age.”

Synonyms

  • lady
  • ma'am
  • memsahibma'am

Antonyms

  • employee
  • servant