sir

American  

[sur] / sɜr /

noun

1. a respectful or formal term of address used to a man.

   No, sir.

2. (initial capital letter) the distinctive title of a knight or baronet.

   Sir Walter Scott.

3. (initial capital letter) a title of respect for some notable personage of ancient times.

   Sir Pandarus of Troy.

4. a lord or gentleman.

   noble sirs and ladies.

5. an ironic or humorous title of respect.

   sir critic.

6. Archaic. a title of respect used before a noun to designate profession, rank, etc..

   sir priest; sir clerk.

---

Sir ¹ British  

/ sɜː /

noun

1. a title of honour placed before the name of a knight or baronet

   Sir Walter Raleigh

2. archaic a title placed before the name of a figure from ancient history

---

sir ² British  

/ sɜː /

noun

1. a formal or polite term of address for a man

2. archaic a gentleman of high social status

---

Usage

What is a basic definition of sir? Sir is a respectful form of address for a man or a term for a gentleman. When capitalized, Sir is used as a title for a knight. The word sir has a few other senses as a noun.Sir is a respectful term used to address a man. Sir is especially likely to be used to refer to a person of higher rank or authority. In this sense, sir is the male equivalent of madam or ma’am.

• Real-life examples: Waiters or other service workers are very likely to use sir when addressing male customers. Members of the military will refer to superior officers as sir or ma’am when not using their title or rank. A person may refer to their boss or manager as sir.
• Used in a sentence: The recruits answered the drill sergeant with a loud “Sir, yes, sir!”

Sir can also be used to refer to a gentleman or a lord, especially in a formal setting.

• Used in a sentence: I meant no offense to the good sir or his noble family.

The capitalized Sir indicates that a man is a knight or a baronet.

• Real-life examples: Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain were two of the knights who served the legendary King Arthur. Sir Isaac Newton and Sir Walter Raleigh are famous historical figures who were knighted. Sir Sean Connery, Sir Patrick Stewart, and Sir Ian McKellan are three modern actors who were knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
• Used in a sentence: Because Gregory had served Great Britain loyally for over 50 years, he was knighted and became Sir Gregory.

Etymology

Origin of sir

1250–1300; Middle English; unstressed variant of sire

Example Sentences

“Is that why the sky lit up earlier? That’s why, sir. Yes, SpaceX had a rocket launch and it didn't go so well. I knew I saw something out there.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Whether it is simply fewer courtiers, a bit less ceremony, no more people calling him sir, or bowing.

From BBC

Please, sir, can we have another order of that—and hold the rest?

From The Wall Street Journal

“As you wish, sir,” she said with a worried glance at the children.

From Literature

“Yes, sir. Very sorry to intrude, my lord.”

From Literature

Related Words

• mister