mister: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighFormal to informal, depending on context.
Quick answer
What does “mister” mean?
A polite title for a man, used before his name or surname.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A polite title for a man, used before his name or surname.
A form of address for a man whose name is unknown; also used informally to refer to a man in authority or a husband.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. 'Mister' as a standalone vocative ('Hey, mister!') might be perceived as slightly more American in informal contexts, but is common in both.
Connotations
In both varieties, it conveys respect in formal contexts but can signal annoyance or distance when used alone with a stranger.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects. The written abbreviation 'Mr.' is universal.
Grammar
How to Use “mister” in a Sentence
Mister + [Surname]Mister + [Title/Office]Vocative: Mister!Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mister” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He doesn't like to be misthered by the junior staff.
American English
- Stop mistering me, just call me by my first name.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Standard in correspondence and formal introductions: 'I have a meeting with Mr. Davies.'
Academic
Used formally when addressing male faculty or in citations: 'as argued by Mr. Smith (2020).'
Everyday
Common in service encounters and when addressing strangers politely: 'Excuse me, mister, you dropped your wallet.'
Technical
Not typically used in technical registers unless referring to a specific person.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mister”
- Using 'Mister' with a first name only (e.g., 'Mister John' is incorrect).
- Capitalising 'mister' in the middle of a sentence when not starting a direct address.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically no. 'Master' was historically used for boys, but today first names or simply the child's name are standard.
'Mr.' is for men. 'Mrs.' is for married women. 'Miss' is for unmarried women. 'Ms.' is for women regardless of marital status.
Yes, informally, meaning to address someone as 'mister', often implying excessive or ironic formality.
Modern style guides often omit the full stop in both BrE and AmE, making it 'Mr'. However, 'Mr.' with the stop remains very common and acceptable.
A polite title for a man, used before his name or surname.
Mister is usually formal to informal, depending on context. in register.
Mister: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɪstə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɪstər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Mister Nice Guy”
- “Mister Big”
- “Mister Right”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Mister' as 'Mister' – it's for a 'Man' you address with respect.
Conceptual Metaphor
TITLE IS A SOCIAL CONTAINER (it holds and defines a person's social identity).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is using 'Mister' alone (without a name) LEAST appropriate?