MiSTer

Mister is an English honorific used before a man’s name as a form of address or as a title in writing. The conventional written abbreviation is Mr., placed before the surname or full name (for example, Mr. Smith or Mr. John Smith). Mister as a full word is less common in modern formal usage, but the term remains understood as a polite or formal form of address for adult men.

Etymology and history: The title derives from the older English word master and has roots in the French mon sieur, which influenced the development of English forms of address. The abbreviation Mr. originated in the Early Modern period as a contracted form of Master and gradually came to be applied broadly to adult men, regardless of social status. In contemporary practice, spellings and punctuation vary by region and style guide; American English typically uses Mr. with a period, while British practice has become more flexible about the period.

Usage and conventions: Mister is used before a surname or full name in formal letters, introductions, or polite conversation, such as “Dear Mr. Smith.” When a man holds another title, such as Doctor or Professor, that title may take precedence (e.g., Dr. Smith or Professor Jones). In less formal contexts, people may simply address a man by his first name or use the title in combination with the surname as a respectful form of address.

Variants and related terms: Related honorifics include Mrs., Miss, and Ms. for women, and Mx. as a gender-neutral option. Sir is another honorific used for knights and certain officials. The term Mister also reflects cross-linguistic cognates such as Monsieur in French.