Sir is a formal honorific address in English for men, derived from Sire in the High Middle Ages. Both are derived from the old French " Sieur " (Lord), brought to England by the French-speaking Normans, …

The meaning of SIR is a man entitled to be addressed as sir —used as a title before the given name of a knight or baronet and formerly sometimes before the given name of a priest.

SIR meaning: 1 : used without a name as a form of polite address to a man you do not know; 2 : used without a name as a form of polite address to a man of rank or authority (such as a military or police …

Sir is used at the beginning of a formal letter to a man you do not know: Dear Sir

People sometimes say sir as a very formal and polite way of addressing a man whose name they do not know or a man of superior rank. For example, a shop assistant might address a male customer as sir.

Jul 15, 2025 · Discover the comprehensive meaning, definition, and etymology of "sir." This glossary entry provides clear examples of its historical and modern usage, perfect for academic exploration.

1. a polite form of address (spoken or written) to a man. Excuse me, sir!; He started his letter `Dear Sirs, ...'.

Jan 22, 2017 · Sir is an honorific address used as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given name or family name in many English speaking cultures. It is often used in formal …

Use the word sir as a formal title for a man. People often use sir to respectfully or politely address someone they don't know well. When you're saying hello to a man who's been knighted by the …

SIR definition: a respectful or formal term of address used to a man. See examples of sir used in a sentence.