1
a
: a man entitled to be addressed as sir
—used as a title before the given name of a knight or baronet and formerly sometimes before the given name of a priest
b
: a man of rank or position
2
a
—used as a usually respectful form of address
b
capitalized
—used as a conventional form of address in the salutation of a letter
Examples of sir in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cutler, who only answers yes or no sir is quiet after officers escort him to the police vehicle.
—
Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Oct. 2025
All my days Climbing up a great big mountain
Of yes, sirs!
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Why would Dobby be scared, sir?
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025
Why would Dobby be scared, sir?
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sir
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Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Oct. 2025
All my days Climbing up a great big mountain
Of yes, sirs!
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Why would Dobby be scared, sir?
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025
Why would Dobby be scared, sir?
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sir
Cite this Entry
“Sir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sir. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sir
noun1
: a man having the right to be addressed as sir
—used as a title before the given name of a knight or baronet
2
: a title of respect used in addressing a man without using his name
Etymology
Middle English sir "a man of rank or position," from sire "a father," from early French sire "lord, superior," from Latin senior (adjective) "older, elder" — related to senior
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