The meaning of SIR is 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.

Sir is a formal honorific address in English for men, derived from Sire in the High Middle Ages. Both are derived from the old French " Sieur " (Lord), brought to England by the French-speaking Normans, …

Sir is used at the beginning of a formal letter to a man you do not know: Dear Sir

SIR meaning: 1 : used without a name as a form of polite address to a man you do not know; 2 : used without a name as a form of polite address to a man of rank or authority (such as a military or police …

People sometimes say sir as a very formal and polite way of addressing a man whose name they do not know or a man of superior rank. For example, a shop assistant might address a male customer as sir.

(cap.) the distinctive title of a knight or baronet: Sir Walter Scott. (cap.) a title of respect for some notable personage of ancient times: Sir Pandarus of Troy.

Jul 15, 2025 · Discover the comprehensive meaning, definition, and etymology of "sir." This glossary entry provides clear examples of its historical and modern usage, perfect for academic exploration.

There are 19 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun sir, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Definition of sir noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

What is Sir? Sir is a formal honorific address in English for men, derived from Sire in the High Middle Ages.