mister

1
[ mis-ter ]
See synonyms for mister on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. Mister, a conventional title of respect for a man, prefixed to the name and to certain official designations (usually written as the abbreviation Mr.).

  2. Informal. sir (used in direct address and not followed by the name of the man addressed): Mister, is this your umbrella?

  1. Mister, a title prefixed to a mock surname that is used to represent possession of a particular attribute, identity, etc.: Mister Know-it-all.

  2. the informal or social title used in addressing a military warrant officer or any naval officer below the rank of commander.

  3. (especially in military schools and colleges)

    • a term of respect used by cadets in addressing upperclassmen: used with surname.

    • a term of disparagement used by upperclassmen in addressing cadets: Mister, tuck in that shirttail!

  4. Older Use. husband: You and the mister staying long?

verb (used with object)
  1. to address or speak of as “mister” or “Mr.”

Origin of mister

1
First recorded in 1545–55; variant of master

Other definitions for mister (2 of 2)

mister2
[ mis-ter ]

noun
  1. a spray, nozzle, or similar device for misting plants.

Origin of mister

2
First recorded in 1970–75; mist + -er1

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use mister in a sentence

  • I now want onely my misters approbation, who is indeed, the most polite punctuall Queene of dressing in all Burgundy.

    The Fatal Dowry | Philip Massinger
  • Should this novel fail to secure the brilliant ovation which I anticipate for it, don't blame me, Misters!

    A Bayard From Bengal | Hurry Bungsho Jabberjee
  • I met a few American Colonels who had recently been promoted misters.

  • The smell of stale grease rose from it like a miasma, clashing with the patchouli they pumped out from the underground misters.

    Makers | Cory Doctorow
  • “Will you make yourselves at home, misters,” he said, more deferentially than before.

    Jack Harvey's Adventures | Ruel Perley Smith

British Dictionary definitions for mister (1 of 2)

mister

/ (ˈmɪstə) sometimes capital /


noun
  1. an informal form of address for a man

  2. navy

    • the official form of address for subordinate or senior warrant officers

    • the official form of address for all officers in a merchant ship, other than the captain

    • US navy the official form of address used by the commanding officer to his officers, esp to the more junior

  1. British the form of address for a surgeon

  2. the form of address for officials holding certain positions: mister chairman

verb
  1. (tr) informal to call (someone) mister

Origin of mister

1
C16: variant of master

British Dictionary definitions for Mister (2 of 2)

Mister

/ (ˈmɪstə) /


noun
  1. the full form of Mr

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012