signor

[ seen-yawr, -yohr, sin-yawr, -yohr; Italian see-nyawr ]

/ ˈsin yɔr, -yoʊr, sɪnˈyɔr, -ˈyoʊr; Italian siˈnyɔr /

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noun, plural si·gnors, Italian si·gno·ri [see-nyaw-ree] /siˈnyɔ ri/.

a conventional Italian term of address or title of respect for a man, either used separately or prefixed to the name. Abbreviation: Sig., sig.

RELATED WORDS

sir, man, Esquire, monsieur

Nearby words

Also signior.

Origin of signor

From Italian, dating back to 1570–80; see origin at signore¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for signor

"I see you're bound to have a square meal," said the signor.
The Errand Boy|Horatio Alger
I trust, Signor Corsini, there are no reservations in your expressions of loyalty to those who have advanced and befriended you?
The Intriguers|William Le Queux
He had brought certain papers which the Signor had left in the library.
Romance of Roman Villas|Elizabeth W. (Elizbeth Williams) Champney
A good deal of the Signor's conversation resembles easy lessons in one syllable for beginners.
Happy-Thought Hall|F. C. Burnand

Why, Signor Maironi has the finest jasmine in the whole Valsolda, my dear sir!
The Patriot|Antonio Fogazzaro

British Dictionary definitions for signor

signor

signior

/ (ˈsiːnjɔː, Italian siɲˈɲor) /

noun plural -gnors or -gnori (Italian -ˈɲori)

an Italian man: usually used before a name as a title equivalent to 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

Word Origin and History for signor

signor

an Italian lord or gentleman, 1570s, from Italian signore, from Latin seniorem, accusative of senior (see senior (adj.)). Feminine form signora is from 1630s; diminutive signorina is first recorded 1820.