Used since the 1600s as a shortened form of "mistress" (the same root that gave us "Miss" and "Mrs."). It became widely popular in 1971 after the launch of Ms. magazine, as a way to address women without publicising their marital status.

· First attested 1971

Class of 1971 Ms joined the language around 1971.

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Synonyms

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Mrs Miss Madam grand thousand yard thou Mississippi meter manuscript metre SM

Related words

time great book large miss august beat lady

Frequently asked questions

What does “Ms” mean?

The word “Ms” means a title placed before a woman's name that doesn't reveal whether she is married. In plain terms, a neutral title for a woman, like "Mr." is for a man — it doesn't say if she's married.

How do you pronounce “Ms”?

“Ms” is pronounced MIHZ (/ˈmɪz/ in IPA).

How do you use “Ms” in a sentence?

Here is “Ms” used in a sentence: “Please address the letter to Ms. Patel.”

What part of speech is “Ms”?

“Ms” is a noun.

Where does the word “Ms” come from?

The word “Ms” dates back to around 1971.

Is “Ms” a common word?

“Ms” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

What is the difference between Ms, Mrs, and Miss?

All three are titles for women. Mrs indicates a married woman, Miss traditionally an unmarried one, and Ms deliberately says nothing about marital status. Ms is the neutral choice, useful when you don't know a woman's situation or when she simply prefers not to signal it either way.

When should you use Ms?

Use Ms when you don't know whether a woman is married, when she has told you she prefers it, or as a safe default in professional and formal writing. It mirrors Mr, which likewise reveals nothing about marriage, making it the fairer and more neutral option in most situations.

How do you pronounce Ms?

Ms is pronounced "miz," with a soft z sound, so it is clearly different from Miss. In British usage the spelling has no full stop, while American style often writes it "Ms." with a period. Either way, the title stays neutral about a woman's marital status.

Is Ms formal or informal?

Ms is perfectly formal and widely accepted in business letters, emails, and official documents. Far from casual, it is often the recommended courtesy title precisely because it is respectful and neutral. Choosing Ms avoids assuming a woman's marital status, which many people regard as the more professional approach.

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