# missus

/ˈmɪsɪz/ (US) · /mˈɪsəs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/missus
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

a polite or friendly way to address a woman, especially a married one. It is an old-fashioned word that people use to be respectful or to sound like they are from a different time.

For teachers: a polite or respectful form of address for a woman, typically a married one. Highly informal and often carries a connotation of traditional or lower-class social status.

## Examples

- The shopkeeper greeted the customer with a nod and a 'Good morning, missus'.
- In the old photographs, the workers are seen bowing slightly to the missus as she walked through the factory.
- The author uses the term missus to establish the rural, working-class setting of the novel, grounding the dialogue in a specific historical and social context.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.