mr

Mr, short for Mister, is a courtesy title used before the surname or full name of a man. It signals formality and respect and is common in professional, social, and ceremonial contexts in many English-speaking countries. The title is typically applied to adult men and is used in both direct address and indirect reference, as in Mr. Smith or Mr John Smith. In American English, the abbreviation is usually written as Mr. with a period; in British usage the period is often omitted, though style guides vary.

The form is descended from Master, a title historically used for men of authority and distinction. Mister is a contracted form of Master and ultimately derives from the Latin magister via Old French maistre. The modern title Mr emerged in Early Modern English and gradually became the standard form in ordinary usage.

Usage notes: Mr. is used before a surname, and occasionally before a full name in formal introductions or documents. It can appear with professional or official roles, such as Mr. President or Mr. Speaker. The compound form Mr. and Mrs. denotes a married couple. For women, equivalents include Miss, Mrs, or Ms; for non-binary or gender-nonconforming individuals, alternatives such as Mx. are used in some contexts. The title does not indicate marital status and is generally applied based on the preferred gender identification of the person being addressed.