Mrs.

American  

[mis-iz, miz-iz] / ˈmɪs ɪz, ˈmɪz ɪz /

abbreviation

plural

Mmes

1. a title of respect prefixed to the surname or full name of a married woman.

   Mrs. Jones; Mrs. Susan Jones.

2. a title prefixed to a mock surname that is used to represent possession of a particular attribute, identity, etc., especially in an idealized or excessive way.

   Mrs. Punctuality.

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Mrs British  

/ ˈmɪsɪz /

noun

1. a title used before the name or names of a married woman

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Pronunciation

Mrs., first recorded in the early 17th century, was originally, like Miss, an abbreviation of mistress. Mrs. and mistress were at first used interchangeably in all contexts, but by the second half of that century, the written form of the abbreviation was largely confined to use as a title preceding a woman's surname. By the early 19th century, reduction of the medial consonant cluster had contracted the usual pronunciation of the title from to or . The contracted pronunciation used other than as a title was not considered standard, and today, locutions like Let me discuss it with the missis are perceived as old-fashioned. Currently, two main types of pronunciation for the abbreviation occur in the United States; and sometimes are the common forms in the North and North Midland, while in the South Midland and South, the prevalent types are and , the latter homophonous with the usual pronunciation of the abbreviation Ms.

Gender

See Ms.

Etymology

Origin of Mrs.

Abbreviation of mistress

Example Sentences

“Like how Heidi from Mrs. Murphy’s class and her family go to Hawaii?” he asked, licking frosting off his fingertips.

From Literature

“Mrs. O’Leary led me to believe that you were old family friends.”

From Literature

When Mrs. Palmer saw Jonathan watching, she smiled and waved at him, a signal that he could proceed.

From Literature

Then she, and Sam, and Mrs. Krupnik all got onto their hands and knees.

From Literature

Bat didn’t feel like talking to Mrs. Martinez, so he pretended he didn’t see her and slid to the far side of the hallway as he passed.

From Literature

Related Words

• girl
• mother