noun
esquire
ih-SKWEYE-uh
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.”
noun
1
A title placed after a lawyer's name in the US, often abbreviated "Esq."
"The letter was addressed to John Carter, Esquire."
2
Historically, an English gentleman ranked just below a knight, or a young man who served a knight before becoming one himself.
"In medieval times, an esquire carried the knight's shield and armor into battle."
How to use esquire
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA polite or formal title, now mostly used after American lawyers' names.
When to use it
Largely archaic in everyday British English; in the US it survives specifically as a courtesy title for attorneys.
Common pairings
Esq.
attorney and esquire
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Word forms
- Plural
- esquires
- Third person singular
- esquires
- Past tense
- esquired
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
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Esq
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.".
