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REFERENCE

monsieur

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //məsˈjɝ// UK //məsjˈɜː// mon·sieur Archaic

n. a polite title for a French-speaking man, similar to 'Mr.' or 'Sir' in English.

n. a title of address or courtesy for a French-speaking man. When used in English, it typically serves to establish a specific cultural setting or to address a French national formally.


SIMPLE

The waiter greeted him politely with a bonjour, monsieur.

CONTEXTUAL

During the meeting in Paris, the host addressed each guest as monsieur followed by their surname.

COMPLEX

The novelist uses the title monsieur throughout the dialogue to remind the reader of the protagonist's heritage and the formal social codes of the era.

Origin

From French monsieur. Doublet of monseigneur and monsignor.

Usage

Capitalised when used as a title before a name; the plural form is 'messieurs'.

Pitfall

Monsieur, can you help me?Excuse me, sir, can you help me?In English-speaking countries, using 'monsieur' to address a stranger is incorrect unless the person is known to be French.

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