sir

[ sur ]

noun

1. a respectful or formal term of address used to a man:

   No, sir.

2. (initial capital letter) the distinctive title of a knight or baronet:

   Sir Walter Scott.

3. (initial capital letter) a title of respect for some notable personage of ancient times:

   Sir Pandarus of Troy.

4. a lord or gentleman:

   noble sirs and ladies.

5. an ironic or humorous title of respect:

   sir critic.

6. Archaic. a title of respect used before a noun to designate profession, rank, etc.:

   sir priest; sir clerk.

sir

¹

/ sɜː /

noun

1. a formal or polite term of address for a man
2. archaic.
   a gentleman of high social status

Sir

²

/ sɜː /

noun

1. a title of honour placed before the name of a knight or baronet

   Sir Walter Raleigh

2. archaic.
   a title placed before the name of a figure from ancient history

Word History and Origins

Origin of sir¹

1250–1300; Middle English; unstressed variant of sire

Word History and Origins

Origin of sir¹

C13: variant of sire

Related Words

• mister