noun

senhor

sih-NYAW

Senhor (noun) means a polite Portuguese title of address for a man, equivalent to "sir" or "Mr.". Example: “The waiter greeted the older guest as "senhor" out of respect.”

noun

A polite Portuguese title of address for a man, equivalent to "sir" or "Mr."

"The waiter greeted the older guest as "senhor" out of respect."

"Good evening, senhor — your table is ready."

How to use senhor

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA respectful Portuguese way of saying "sir" or "Mr." when addressing a man.

Easily confused with

senor sire →

Common pairings

yes, senhor senhor and senhora

Word forms

senhors plural, senhores plural

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The waiter greeted the older guest as "_____" out of respect.

Etymology

From Portuguese senhor, from Latin senior ("older, elder") — the same root that gave English "senior" and "sir."

Origin: Latin

Frequently asked questions

What does “senhor” mean?

The word “senhor” means a polite Portuguese title of address for a man, equivalent to "sir" or "Mr.". In plain terms, a respectful Portuguese way of saying "sir" or "Mr." when addressing a man.

How do you pronounce “senhor”?

“Senhor” is pronounced sih-NYAW (/sɪˈnjɔː(ɹ)/ in IPA).

How do you use “senhor” in a sentence?

Here is “senhor” used in a sentence: “The waiter greeted the older guest as "senhor" out of respect.”

What part of speech is “senhor”?

“Senhor” is a noun.

Where does the word “senhor” come from?

The word “senhor” comes from Latin. From Portuguese senhor, from Latin senior ("older, elder") — the same root that gave English "senior" and "sir.".