señor

Señor is a Spanish honorific used to address or refer to adult men. It functions similarly to the English Mr. and is placed before a surname or full name, for example, Señor García or Señor García Pérez. In direct address, it may accompany the person’s name or be used alone in formal contexts; in writing, it is capitalized when preceding a proper name. The feminine forms are señora (Mrs./Ms.) and señorita (Miss).

Etymology and orthography: The word derives from Latin senior meaning “older, elder,” transmitted through Old Spanish and influenced by the medieval French seigneur. It is written with a tilde over the n (ñ) in standard Spanish; without the tilde, “senor” is considered incorrect in proper Spanish spellings, though the non-accented form may appear in informal or cross-language contexts.

Usage and nuances: Señor is used as a polite, formal title before a surname or full name, such as Señora López or Señor Pérez. It can appear in official or public contexts as part of titles like Señor Presidente. In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common to pair señor with other honorifics such as don for older or highly respected men. In daily speech, use of usted (the formal pronoun) often accompanies this title.

Forms and plurals: The plural form for groups of men is señores; for mixed groups, señores is also standard. The corresponding feminine forms are señoras and señoritas. The choice between señor, don, and other forms reflects social relationships, age, and degree of formality.