sir
sur
Sir (noun) means a polite or respectful way to address a man, especially one of higher rank, a stranger, or a teacher. Example: “Good morning, sir, may I take your coat?”
noun
1
A polite or respectful way to address a man, especially one of higher rank, a stranger, or a teacher.
"Good morning, sir, may I take your coat?"
"Excuse me, sir, is this seat taken?"
"Yes, sir, right away."
2
The title used before the first name of a knight.
"The old actor was proud to be called Sir Henry after the ceremony."
"Newspapers announced that the scientist would now be known as Sir Alan."
"He was knighted and is now known as Sir Paul."
How to use sir
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA respectful term for addressing a man, or the title given to knights.
Common pairings
yes, sir
Sir (name)
dear sir
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Word forms
- Plural
- sirs
- Third person singular
- sirs
- Past tense
- sirred
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Good morning, _____, may I take your coat?
Etymology
From Middle English sir, an unstressed form of sire, ultimately from Latin senior ("older, elder").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sir” mean?
The word “sir” means a polite or respectful way to address a man, especially one of higher rank, a stranger, or a teacher. In plain terms, a respectful term for addressing a man, or the title given to knights.
How do you pronounce “sir”?
“Sir” is pronounced sur (/sɝ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sir” in a sentence?
Here is “sir” used in a sentence: “Excuse me, sir, is this seat taken?”
What part of speech is “sir”?
“Sir” is a noun.
Where does the word “sir” come from?
The word “sir” comes from Latin. From Middle English sir, an unstressed form of sire, ultimately from Latin senior ("older, elder").
Is “sir” a common word?
“Sir” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “sir” have?
“Sir” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a polite or respectful way to address a man, especially one of higher rank, a stranger, or a teacher.
What is the difference between "sir" and "madam"?
Both are polite, formal ways to address someone you may not know or who holds a higher rank. "Sir" is used for a man, while "madam" (or "ma'am") is the female equivalent, used for a woman. They mirror each other in tone and setting, differing only in the gender of the person being addressed.
Is "sir" formal or informal?
"Sir" is formal and respectful. People use it with strangers, customers, teachers, officers, and anyone of higher rank or authority. In everyday casual conversation between friends it can sound stiff or even sarcastic, so it belongs mainly to polite, professional, or deferential situations rather than relaxed ones.
When should you use "sir"?
Use "sir" to address a man politely without using his name — a customer, a stranger, a superior at work, or a teacher. It signals respect and good manners, and is standard in the military, service, and hospitality. Capitalise it as "Sir" when it precedes a knight's name, as in "Sir Elton John."
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