Meaning & use
sir
Last updated
a respectful term used to address a man, especially one in a position of authority or seniority.
See it in a sentence
Excuse me, sir, is this seat taken?
In Britain, 'Sir' is also a formal title placed before the name of a knighted man.
A note on using this word
As a title of honor, 'Sir' is used before a knight's given name, never his surname alone, as in 'Sir Elton John'.
Words with a similar meaning
mister
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
madam
Another way to use it
2. noun
a formal title placed before the given name of a knight or baronet.
Sir Isaac Newton made major contributions to physics and mathematics.
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