English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun Uncommon

squire

SKWEYE-uh

Squire (noun) means Historically, a young nobleman who served and assisted a knight. Example: “The squire polished his knight's armour before the tournament.”

noun
1
Historically, a young nobleman who served and assisted a knight.
"The squire polished his knight's armour before the tournament."
2
Historically in England, a country gentleman or landowner, especially one owning the main estate in a village.
"The local squire owned most of the farmland in the parish."
verb
1
To escort or accompany someone, especially as a gentlemanly attendant.
"He squired her to the ball and back."

How to use squire

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA knight's young attendant, or an English country landowner — or, as a verb, to escort someone.

When to use it

Mostly historical or used humorously/formally today ("the local squire").

Word forms

squired past tense, squires plural, squires plural, Squires plural, squires singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “squire” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ polished his knight's armour before the tournament.

Etymology

From Old French escuier ("shield-bearer"), from Latin scutum, meaning "shield." A shortened form of esquire.

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for squire

See all rhymes for squire →

Frequently asked questions

What does “squire” mean?

The word “squire” means historically, a young nobleman who served and assisted a knight. In plain terms, a knight's young attendant, or an English country landowner — or, as a verb, to escort someone.

How do you pronounce “squire”?

“Squire” is pronounced SKWEYE-uh (/ˈskwaɪɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “squire” in a sentence?

Here is “squire” used in a sentence: “The squire polished his knight's armour before the tournament.”

What part of speech is “squire”?

Depending on how it is used, “squire” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “squire” come from?

The word “squire” comes from Latin. From Old French escuier ("shield-bearer"), from Latin scutum, meaning "shield." A shortened form of esquire.

Is “squire” a common word?

“Squire” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “squire” have?

“Squire” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: historically, a young nobleman who served and assisted a knight.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial