abbreviation

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

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 notes

In 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 ↓

Easily confused with

Ms → Miss → Mx Mr

Common pairings

Mr and Mrs Mrs Smith dear Mrs Jones

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Test yourself on “Mrs” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ 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.

Origin: English

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.