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

Mr. Erewhon, wherever that person is, Mr. and Mrs. Erewhon?

From Los Angeles Times

The duo was best known for songs “The Sound of Silence,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “Mrs. Robinson.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Freedom” gives Bravo an opportunity to shine in his first starring role after supporting parts in films ranging from “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris,” and “Ticket to Paradise” with Julia Roberts and George Clooney.

From Salon

Whole Foods replaced Mrs. Gooch’s, but after being deracinated by Amazon, it became passé, less and less a signifier of status.

From Los Angeles Times

You talk about desire, and Judith Anderson’s Mrs. Danvers in “Rebecca” as an example of queer desire.

From Salon

Related Words

• female
• person