sir

noun

ˈsər 

1

a

: 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

b

: a man of rank or position

2

a

—used as a usually respectful form of address

b

capitalized

—used as a conventional form of address in the salutation of a letter

Examples of sir in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

No need to seize the Capitol or talk of harming anyone this time around, no sir. —Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2025

How dare you, sir — but she is once again reminded of how lovely the Bridgerton family is. —Vulture Editors, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024

Apes and apes’ toes, yes, sir … See, this isn’t your standard ape, sir. —Matt Schudel, Washington Post, 18 July 2024

Saying ‘ma’am’ and ‘sir’ also makes assumptions about someone’s gender. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 18 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from sire

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sir

• sir-reverence

Rhymes for sir

• birr
• blur
• bur
• cur
• er
• fir
• fur
• furr
• gurr
• her
• murr
• myrrh

Kids Definition

sir

noun

(ˈ)sər 

1

: a man having the right to be addressed as sir

—used as a title before the given name of a knight or baronet

2

: a title of respect used in addressing a man without using his name

Etymology

Middle English sir "a man of rank or position," from sire "a father," from early French sire "lord, superior," from Latin senior (adjective) "older, elder" — related to senior