sir
sir Lexical Profile
sir Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A polite or respectful form of address used when speaking or writing to a man, especially one of higher rank, authority, or age, or a male customer.
"Excuse me, sir, I believe you dropped your wallet near the entrance."
British A formal title of honor (capitalized as Sir) placed before the given name of a knight or baronet in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
"The charity gala was hosted by Sir David Attenborough at the natural history museum."
British A respectful form of address used by schoolchildren when speaking to a male schoolteacher.
"Please, sir, may we have an extension on the history essay?"
• verb
To address someone as 'sir', often repeatedly or with excessive deference.
"Please stop sirring me; we are colleagues now, so you can call me by my first name."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used as the formal British honorific for a knight or baronet, 'Sir' is capitalized and must be followed by the person's given name or full name (e.g., 'Sir Isaac Newton' or 'Sir Isaac'), never by the surname alone (never 'Sir Newton').
• Rhymes for sir
Word Origin & Etymology
Entered Middle English from Old French 'sire' (lord, master), a reduced form of 'seigneur', which derives from Latin 'senior' (older, elder), the comparative of 'senex' (old).