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

Cheyenne Hunt, a Laguna Hills attorney and executive director of a progressive advocacy group, and social media influencer Arielle Fodor, known online as Mrs. Frazzled, are among those publicizing the allegations online.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Mrs. Irani offers advice on many aspects of the business: How to build efficient teams, create a harmonious environment and avoid high turnover.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Fifty-five years later, Mr. and Mrs. Cummins live together in the house where they met.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

A “smart, energetic young girl,” in Ms. DuBois’s words, the future Mrs. Stanton was a natural rebel who hated being told “no.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

Their mortification the afternoon Mrs. Kuen had reported on me.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

• girl
• mother