Mrs
MISS-iz
Mrs (abbreviation) means a title placed before the surname or full name of a married woman. Example: “Mrs Patel will see you now.”
abbreviation
1
A title placed before the surname or full name of a married woman.
"Mrs Patel will see you now."
"The letter was addressed to Mr and Mrs Doyle."
How to use Mrs
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe title you put before a married woman's name.
When to use it
Standard in formal address; increasingly replaced by Ms in professional writing.
Memory tip
Mrs is never used alone with a first name only in formal writing: Mrs Clark, not Mrs Anna.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
Mr and Mrs
Mrs Smith
dear Mrs Jones
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_____ Patel will see you now.
Etymology
A written contraction of mistress, once the ordinary courtesy title for a woman; the pronunciation 'missiz' developed separately from the spelling.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Mrs, Miss and Ms?
Mrs is used for a married woman, Miss traditionally for an unmarried woman or a girl, and Ms for any woman regardless of marital status. Ms is the safe default when you do not know, and many women prefer it in any case.
Does Mrs take a full stop?
In British usage it is normally written without one, as Mrs, because the abbreviation ends with the same letter as the full word. American usage prefers Mrs. with a full stop.
Can a divorced or widowed woman still use Mrs?
Yes. Many widows keep Mrs, and a divorced woman may keep it or switch to Ms as she prefers. There is no rule requiring a change.
What is the meaning of Mrs?
"Mrs" (abbreviation) means a title placed before the surname or full name of a married woman.
