Mrs.

[ mis-iz, miz-iz ]

abbreviation for

, plural Mmes. [mey-, dahm, -, dam].

1. a title of respect prefixed to the surname or full name of a married woman:

   Mrs. Jones; Mrs. Susan Jones.

2. a title prefixed to a mock surname that is used to represent possession of a particular attribute, identity, etc., especially in an idealized or excessive way:

   Mrs. Punctuality.

Mrs

/ ˈmɪsɪz /

noun

1. a title used before the name or names of a married woman

Gender Note

See Ms. none

Pronunciation Note

Mrs., first recorded in the early 17th century, was originally, like Miss, an abbreviation of mistress. Mrs. and mistress were at first used interchangeably in all contexts, but by the second half of that century, the written form of the abbreviation was largely confined to use as a title preceding a woman's surname. By the early 19th century, reduction of the medial consonant cluster had contracted the usual pronunciation of the title from [mis, -tris] to [mis, -is] or [mis, -iz]. The contracted pronunciation used other than as a title was not considered standard, and today, locutions like Let me discuss it with the missis are perceived as old-fashioned. Currently, two main types of pronunciation for the abbreviation occur in the United States; [mis, -iz] and sometimes [mis, -is] are the common forms in the North and North Midland, while in the South Midland and South, the prevalent types are [miz, -iz] and [miz], the latter homophonous with the usual pronunciation of the abbreviation Ms.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mrs.¹

Abbreviation of mistress none

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mrs.¹

C17: originally an abbreviation of mistress

Example Sentences

She adjourned the case until a pre-inquest review hearing on 5 November next year, which Mrs Marsh said was the earliest available date due to the complexity of the case.

From BBC

"By not strengthening protection against an attack, people who commit crimes like this feel relaxed, it means they might do this again," Mrs Litvinenko told the Crime Next Door: Salisbury Poisonings podcast.

From BBC

"Frankly, I'd love to go out and get a job," said Mrs Button.

From BBC

Her insurance company, AXA Partners, initially told the family Mrs Rubens would need to be repatriated on Monday despite several medics advising against the move, her family told the BBC.

From BBC

In a rare interview since she stepped down from politics three years ago, Mrs Merkel expresses concern about Vladimir Putin’s renewed threats of using nuclear weapons.

From BBC

Related Words

• female
• person