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• Mrs.
  Mrs.

  abbreviation

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

  noun

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

Mrs.

American  

[mis-iz, miz-iz] / ˈmɪs ɪz, ˈmɪz ɪz /

abbreviation

• Mmes
  plural

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

See Examples For:

Mrs. Mrs

Mrs. Boeuf recognizes the snorting heard from below the office: It’s Mr. Boeuf, transformed!

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

O'Carroll added that he has been "talking with the BBC about getting Mrs. Brown's Boys back on the screen in 2027".

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

Well, that is a conundrum that Mrs. Waters, in the interest of avoiding confrontation with her life’s cognitive dissonance, should probably learn to live with.

From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026

In April 1828, Russell Jarvis, a journalist and critic of President John Quincy Adams, believed the president had insulted Mrs. Jarvis.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

I faltered when I saw Mrs. Kuen standing there, talking with Mr. Lew, but I didn’t turn away.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Mrs Brown's Boys – which this week officially cancelled its festive specials due to creator and star Brendan O'Carroll's broken jaw - has a nomination for best comedy.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

The Irishman also confirmed that he would postpone his festive Mrs Brown's Boys D'Panto? shows in Dublin and Killarney, with the aim of rescheduling them for 2027.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

A BBC spokeswoman said: "We wish Brendan a full and speedy recovery and are working with him on plans for Mrs Brown's Boys in 2027."

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

In April last year at the High Court, Mrs Justice Collins Rice said she believed there were "compelling reasons for further investigation at trial" and refused Hancock's attempt to have the claim thrown out.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

"Mrs Jenkins will go crazy!" yelled Mr Jenkins.

From "The Witches" by Roald Dahl

Related Words

• girl
• mother