Honorific

An honorific is a title, epithet, or form of address that conveys respect, status, rank, or professional standing. It is used in speaking to or of someone, as well as in written references, to indicate social relationships and formality.

Common English honorifics include Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms., and Dr., as well as Professor and Reverend. They may precede a surname or full name and vary by marital status or gender. Other forms signal status or achievement, such as Sir, Dame, Lord, Lady, and other professional or religious titles. In many languages, honorifics also include suffixes or alternative forms tied to formality, age, or rank.

Usage varies by culture and language. In Japanese, honorifics such as san, sama, or sensei attach to names and reflect formality and relationship; in Korean, -ssi or title forms convey respect and politeness. Spanish and Portuguese communities may use Don or Doña to denote courtesy, while many European languages pair titles with surnames in formal speech. In written English, titles are capitalized and placed before names, with preference given to the individual’s stated form of address.

Historically, honorifics indicated power hierarchies, nobility, and religious authority. In modern usage they support politeness and professional protocol, while evolving toward gender-neutral and inclusive forms, such as Mx in some contexts.

Etiquette considerations include respecting personal preference, cultural norms, and context. Using the appropriate form can reflect respect and sensitivity, whereas misapplied titles or unfamiliar forms can cause misunderstanding or offense. See also: forms of address, titles, politeness strategies.