esquire
Esquire (noun) means a title placed after a lawyer's name in the US, often abbreviated "Esq.". Example: “The letter was addressed to John Carter, Esquire.”
How to use esquire
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA polite or formal title, now mostly used after American lawyers' names.
Largely archaic in everyday British English; in the US it survives specifically as a courtesy title for attorneys.
Word forms
esquired past tense, esquires plural, esquires plural, esquires singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The letter was addressed to John Carter, _____.
Etymology
From Old French escuier, "shield-bearer," from Latin scutum, "shield" — the same root that gives us "escutcheon."
Synonyms
View more →Rhymes for esquire
See all rhymes for esquire →Frequently asked questions
What does “esquire” mean?
The word “esquire” means a title placed after a lawyer's name in the US, often abbreviated "Esq.". In plain terms, a polite or formal title, now mostly used after American lawyers' names.
How do you pronounce “esquire”?
“Esquire” is pronounced ih-SKWEYE-uh (/ˈɛskwaɪɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “esquire” in a sentence?
Here is “esquire” used in a sentence: “The letter was addressed to John Carter, Esquire.”
What part of speech is “esquire”?
“Esquire” is a noun.
Where does the word “esquire” come from?
The word “esquire” comes from Latin. From Old French escuier, "shield-bearer," from Latin scutum, "shield" — the same root that gives us "escutcheon.".
How many meanings does “esquire” have?
“Esquire” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a title placed after a lawyer's name in the US, often abbreviated "Esq.".