Senor

Señor is a Spanish honorific used to address or refer to a man. In written Spanish, it is typically placed before a surname or full name (for example, Señor García) and can serve as a formal form of polite address in letters and dialogue. In English-language texts, the diacritic is often omitted, resulting in the spellings Senor or Señor, depending on whether the accent is preserved.

Etymology traces Señor to the Latin word senior, meaning elder. The term has long conveyed respect and social status and is related to similar titles in other languages. Its use varies by country and context, with different nuances in formal, professional, or everyday speech.

Usage and forms of address vary. Before a name, Señor can accompany the surname (Señor López) or be used as a standalone address in conversation or correspondence. In Spain and many Latin American countries, Don is a higher honorific that may precede a given name, adding a level of respect or affection. Señores is the plural form; the feminine equivalents are Señora (Mrs./Ms.) and Señoras. The term Señor is also used in religious contexts to mean “Lord” or in catechetical language to address God or Jesus.

In modern usage, Señor remains common in formal or respectful speech, while in casual speech many Spanish speakers simply use a person’s name or a different level of familiarity. It also appears in brand names or historical texts where it reflects traditional titles.