First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
sir
noun \ˈsər\
—used without a name as a form of polite address to a man of rank or authority (such as a military or police officer, teacher, or master)
Sir —used without a name as a form of address at the beginning of a formal letter
Sir —used as a title before the name of a knight or baronet
Full Definition of SIR
1
a : a man entitled to be addressed as sir —used as a title before the given name of a knight or baronet and formerly sometimes before the given name of a priest b : a man of rank or position
2
a —used as a usually respectful form of address b capitalized —used as a conventional form of address in the salutation of a letter
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Origin of SIR
Middle English, from sire
SIR Defined for Kids
sir
noun \ˈsər\
Definition of SIR for Kids
1
—used without a name as a form of polite address to a man <May I help you, sir?>
2
cap —used as a title before the given name of a knight or a baronet <Sir Walter Raleigh>
3
cap —used without a name as a form of address at the beginning of a letter
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