Mrs.

[mis-iz, miz-iz]

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.

Mrs

/ ˈmɪsɪz /

noun

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

Gender Note

See Ms.

Pronunciation Note

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mrs.¹

Abbreviation of mistress

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mrs.¹

C17: originally an abbreviation of _mistress

Example Sentences

The proposed revisions included a change of name for the main character, sometimes called “Aunt Phoenix” by a dismissive nurse, to “Mrs. Jackson.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Shows such as ‘Baywatch’ and ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ will be filmed in California after relocating from other states.

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More than a dozen TV shows were awarded production incentives for filming in California, including several that are relocating from other states, such as action series “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” and a reboot of “Baywatch.”

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Mrs. Choi—Autumn’s mother—smiles at me from behind her husband.

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And the usually gruff and unsentimental Lord Fredrick Ashton was discussing wallpaper with Mrs. Clarke and cheerily picking baby names, and with a full moon coming on, too!

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Related Words

• girl 
• mother