Esquire after a name

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseformal

   A formal title written after a man's full name, especially on envelopes and legal documents in the US.

   Grammar: Written after the name, usually abbreviated 'Esq.': John Smith, Esq.

   Patterns

   • Name, Esq.
   • Name, Esquire

   The letter was addressed to Thomas Reed, Esq.

   In the United States, lawyers often write 'Esq.' after their own names.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseformalold-fashionedBritish

   Used in Britain as a polite way of addressing a letter to a man whose name you do not know.

   Grammar: Old-fashioned in British English; often written as 'Esq.' on envelopes instead of 'Mr'.

   Patterns

   • Name Esq.

   In older British letters you may see 'J. Brown Esq.' instead of 'Mr J. Brown'.

   Her grandfather always wrote 'Esq.' after the names of men he did not know well.

Common combinations

John Smith, Esq.

The invitation read 'John Smith, Esq.' in elegant script.

attorney at law, Esq.

American lawyers sometimes add 'Esq.' after their names on business cards.

write 'Esq.' after a name

You write 'Esq.' after a name rather than before it.

an envelope marked Esq.

The envelope was marked 'Esq.', which told us it was a formal letter.

Synonyms and how they differ

Mr

Mr goes before the name and is the normal everyday title; Esq. goes after the name and sounds much more formal.

Sir

Sir is used before a first name or alone when speaking to someone; Esq. is a written title placed after a full name.

Word family

esquire noun

The full form of the title; also an old word for a country gentleman.

Commonly confused: Esquire after a name or squire?

Practice

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