# monsieur

/məsˈjɝ/ (US) · /məsjˈɜː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/monsieur
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. French title for a man

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

the French word for 'Mister', used before a man's name or as a polite way to address him.

For teachers: the standard French title of respect for a man, equivalent to 'Mister' or 'Sir'.

- The waiter greeted the guest with a polite 'Good evening, Monsieur'.
- Monsieur Dupont has been the lead consultant on the project since its inception in Paris last year.

Usage: Capitalized when used as a title before a surname; often abbreviated as M. in French writing.

### 2. a French man

noun · CEFR C1 · Archaic · Literary

a way to refer to a French man, sometimes used in a slightly old-fashioned or formal way.

For teachers: a term used to refer to a Frenchman, often carrying a dated or specific cultural connotation in English literature.

- In the old novel, the main character was a mysterious monsieur from Lyon.
- The narrative describes a tall, elegant monsieur who frequented the café every afternoon without ever speaking to the other patrons.

Teaching tip: In modern English, this is rarely used as a general noun for 'man'; it is almost exclusively a title or used to set a specific French scene.

## Examples

- The waiter greeted him politely with a bonjour, monsieur.
- During the meeting in Paris, the host addressed each guest as monsieur followed by their surname.
- 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.

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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.