First Known Use: circa 1578
Dictionary
Mrs.
noun \ˈmi-səz, -səs, especially Southern ˈmi-zəz, -zəs, or in rapid speech in sense 1 (ˌ)miz, or before given names (ˌ)mis\
—used as a title when speaking to a married woman who holds an honored position or office
—used as part of a title for a married woman who has won a contest
—used to refer to a married woman who is very successful and famous for a particular activity (such as a sport) or who has a particular quality
plural Mes·dames \mā-ˈdäm, -ˈdam\
Full Definition of MRS.
1
a —used as a conventional title of courtesy except when usage requires the substitution of a title of rank or an honorific or professional title before a married woman's surname <spoke to Mrs. Doe> b —used before the name of a place (as a country or city) or of a profession or activity (as a sport) or before some epithet (as clever) to form a title applied to a married woman viewed or recognized as representative of the thing indicated <Mrs. Golf>
2
: wife <left with the Mrs.>
See Mrs. defined for English-language learners
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of MRS.
Mrs. abbreviation of mistress; Mesdames from French, plural of Madame
Related to MRS.
MRS. Defined for Kids
Mrs.
noun \ˈmi-səz, -zəz\
plural Mes·dames \mā-ˈdäm, -ˈdam\
Definition of MRS. for Kids
—used as a title before a married woman's name <Mrs. Doe>
Learn More About MRS.
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up Mrs.? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).