Mrs. originated as a contraction of the honorific Mistress (the feminine of Mister or Master) which was originally applied to both married and unmarried women in the upper class. Writers who used Mrs for …

The plural of Mrs. is Mmes., a shortening of the French plural Mesdames. English borrowed the French plural for this honorific after adopting Messrs. for the plural of Mr..

Oct 7, 2022 · The contractions Mr. and Mrs. are short for Mister and Missus/Missis. These contractions, like their longer forms, are used in etiquette to show respect to men and women.

May 8, 2023 · What is the difference between Miss, Mrs., Ms., and Mx.? Here’s the definitive answer, along with helpful examples, so you never again confuse these titles.

Some speakers of American English think Ms., Mrs., and Miss all mean the same thing. They don’t, and learning their differences can enhance your grammar while ensuring you communicate politely.

Dec 17, 2022 · “Miss” refers to an unmarried woman, “Mrs.” to a married woman. “Ms.” is an alternative form that doesn’t specify marital status.

Jan 27, 2026 · Some women may prefer “Mrs.” even if they are divorced or widowed, while others may prefer “Ms.” regardless of their marital status. The best approach is to ask or observe how a woman …

As a consequence, writers are often unsure whether to use "Ms.," "Miss," or "Mrs." when addressing a woman in an email or a letter. These feminine honorifics are all contractions of the word "Mistress."

/ ˈmɪs·ɪz, -ɪs / Add to word list a title for a married woman, used before the family name or full name: Mrs. Schultz/ Mrs. Doris Schultz

Aug 4, 2025 · Mrs. is a title used specifically for married women. It indicates that a woman is married and typically takes her husband’s last name (though this is not always the case in modern usage).