# sir

/ˈsɝ/ (US) · /sˈɜː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sir
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. polite address

noun · CEFR A2 · Formal

a polite way to address a man, especially if you do not know his name.

For teachers: a respectful term of address used for a male person, typically when his name is unknown or to show deference.

- Excuse me, sir, I think you dropped your wallet on the sidewalk.
- The waiter approached the table and asked, 'Are you ready to order now, sir?'

Usage: Usually used as a standalone vocative without a following name.

### 2. formal title

noun · CEFR B1 · British English · Formal

a title used before the first name of a knight or baronet.

For teachers: the titular prefix used before the forename of a knight or baronet.

- Sir Isaac Newton was a famous scientist who studied gravity.
- The Queen granted him a knighthood, and he is now formally addressed as Sir Anthony.

Usage: Always capitalized and followed by a given name.

### 3. school teacher

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

a way for students to address a male teacher in some countries.

For teachers: a conventional term of address used by students for a male school teacher.

- Please, sir, can I go to the bathroom?
- In many British secondary schools, it remains standard practice for pupils to address male staff members simply as 'sir'.

Usage: Commonly used as a vocative in educational settings.

### 4. to call someone sir

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to call someone 'sir' when you speak to them.

For teachers: to address a person using the honorific 'sir', often to show extreme respect or military discipline.

- Don't sir me—we've been friends for years.
- The recruit was instructed to sir every officer he encountered on the base.

Usage: Used transitively; the object is the person being addressed.

## Examples

- Excuse me, sir, you dropped your wallet.
- The students stood up and said 'Good morning, sir' when the history teacher entered the classroom.

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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.