English · Word Candidate

Madonna

/məˈdɒnə/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: Madonnas

Sense 1

Meaning · English

An artistic representation of the Virgin Mary, chiefly when holding the infant Jesus.

Noun

Examples

A beautiful example of this type of Madonna is the polyptych in the Museo Civico in Sansepolcro.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A morally pure woman.

Noun

Examples

“Men,” I said, with a tone of disgust. “Halal circles, haram circles, good, bad, Madonnas, whores, goats, penises, it’s all the same.”

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Alternative letter-case form of Madonna. — A representation of the Virgin Mary.

Noun

Examples

Glogau Stat.—Inns: Deutsches Haus; Westphal’s Hotel. A fortress of the 2nd rank on the l. bank of the Oder, 17,000 Inhab. The Dom upon an island dates from 1120, and contains a madonna by Cranach, sen., his masterpiece.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

Alternative letter-case form of Madonna. — A morally pure woman.

Noun

Examples

Yet most of us will probably deny that this blissful woman is a sexual woman. We associate her with Virgin Mary, who conceived in an act of spiritual purity and not in carnal lust and desire. We regard her chastity as essential to her maternal rectitude. Thus we hardly recognize the madonna's subtle

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “Madonna” mean?

An artistic representation of the Virgin Mary, chiefly when holding the infant Jesus.

Is “Madonna” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.