Mem-sahib is a term that originated in India during the British Raj era and was used to refer to a married woman of European descent who held a high social status. This term was derived from the Hindi words 'mem' meaning madam and 'sahib' meaning master or lord. Over time, the term became outdated and somewhat offensive. Today, there are several synonyms that one can use instead of Mem-sahib. These include lady, madame, woman of status, dame, grande dame, socialite, matron, dowager, and grande dame. These terms convey the same sense of status and respect as Mem-sahib, without the colonial connotations that come along with it.