noun
mademoiselle
A French term for an unmarried young woman.
The waiter politely addresses the young French woman as mademoiselle.
Etymology
The expression literally means my young lady. It became a conventional French form of address distinguishing an unmarried young woman.
More examples
- “Good morning, mademoiselle,” the shopkeeper says to Claire.
- The young mademoiselle enters the dining room with her parents.
- The French textbook uses mademoiselle for an unmarried young woman.
Forms
mademoiselle · mademoiselles · mesdemoiselles
Similar words
- miss
- English term for a girl or unmarried woman, especially in address.