First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
Mr.
noun \ˈmis-tər, in rapid speech especially in sense 2 (ˌ)mis(t)\
—used as a title when speaking to a man who has an honored position or office
—used as part of a title for a man who has won a contest
—used to refer to a man who is very successful and famous for a particular activity (such as a sport) or who has a particular quality
plural Messrs. \ˈme-sərz\
Full Definition of MR.
1
—used as a conventional title of courtesy except when usage requires the substitution of a title of rank or an honorific or professional title before a man's surname <spoke to Mr. Doe>
2
—used in direct address as a conventional title of respect before a man's title of office <may I ask one more question, Mr. President>
3
—used before the name of a place, profession, or activity or before an epithet (as clever) to form a title applied to a male viewed as representative of the thing indicated <Mr. Baseball>
See Mr. defined for English-language learners
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Origin of MR.
Mr. from Middle English, abbreviation of maister master; Messrs. abbreviation of Messieurs, from French, plural of Monsieur
MR. Defined for Kids
Mr.
noun \ˈmi-stər\
plural Messrs. \ˈme-sərz\
Definition of MR. for Kids
—used as a title before a man's name <Mr. Doe>
Learn More About MR.
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