Mrs./Mrs
Mrs./Mrs
Pronunciation
Mrs.
/ˈmɪsɪz/
First Syllable: /mɪs/
/m/ - voiced bilabial nasal consonant
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative consonant
Second Syllable: /ɪz/
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/z/ - voiced alveolar fricative consonant
Word Form Variations
"Mrs." is a title, and as such, it does not have singular or plural forms in the traditional sense. It is always used in its current form.
Singular: Mrs. (used before a married woman's surname or full name)
Plural: There is no widely accepted plural form for "Mrs." When referring to multiple married women, one would typically use "Mesdames" (from French, pronounced /meɪˈdæm/) or rephrase the sentence to avoid needing a plural for the title (e.g., "The two Mrs. Smiths" or "Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Jones").
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Mrs.
A title of respect or courtesy used before the name of a married woman. It serves to identify her marital status and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
Synonyms: Madame (formal, especially when referring to a French-speaking woman), Madam (formal, polite address)
Antonyms: Mr. (title for a man), Miss (title for an unmarried woman), Ms. (title for a woman whose marital status is unknown or irrelevant)
(Informal, often capitalized as "Mrs.") A woman who is married, often in reference to her role within a household or in relation to her husband.
Synonyms: Wife, spouse, partner (gender-neutral)
Antonyms: Husband, bachelor (for a man), spinster (for an unmarried woman)
Examples of Use
Books:
"Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself." (Virginia Woolf, Mrs. Dalloway, May 1925)
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so firmly fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters. 'My dear Mrs. Bennet,' said her husband to her one day, 'have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?'" (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, January 1813)
Newspapers:
"Mrs. Clinton's role as a key figure in American politics continues to evolve, as seen in her recent public appearances." (The New York Times)
"Local resident Mrs. Eleanor Vance celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends at the community center." (The Daily Chronicle)
Online Publications:
"How Mrs. Fields Built a Cookie Empire from Scratch" (Forbes.com)
"The enduring appeal of Mrs. Maisel and her groundbreaking comedy" (Vogue.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Series: "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (Amazon Prime Video)
Film: "Finding Mrs. Claus" (Hallmark Channel movie)
Song Lyric: "I want to thank Mrs. Robinson more than words can say." (Simon & Garfunkel, "Mrs. Robinson," April 1968)
Podcast: "In a recent episode, Mrs. Obama discussed her memoir and experiences in the White House." (A popular podcast featuring interviews with public figures)
General Public Discourse:
"Excuse me, Mrs. Johnson, could you please sign this form?" (Heard in a school office)
"My grandmother always said, 'A place for everything, and everything in its place,' like Mrs. Potts from Beauty and the Beast." (Conversational use)
"We need to ask Mrs. Smith for directions; she knows this neighborhood well." (Everyday conversation)
10 Quotes Using Mrs./Mrs
"Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself." (Virginia Woolf, Mrs. Dalloway)
"My dear Mrs. Bennet," said her husband to her one day, "have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?" (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice)
"Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson, Jesus loves you more than you will know." (Paul Simon, "Mrs. Robinson")
"Well, I'm certainly glad that you're an only child, Mrs. Clay. Because I couldn't bear to think of two of you." (Aunt Clara, Bewitched)
"I may be a lady, but I'm no Mrs." (Mae West)
"You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own, than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, in my anger, but never in my love. By me, those eight years and a half have been spent in a constant feeling of your goodness, a constant memory of what you once were to me, in the pain of now knowing what you were, and what you are. You have been the delight of my life. Mrs. Frederick Wentworth, the name alone is a poem." (Jane Austen, Persuasion)
"Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country, and remember to say 'please' and 'thank you,' Mrs. Obama." (Paraphrase of John F. Kennedy, often jokingly attributed to a polite reminder from Michelle Obama)
"And you, Mrs. Vance, were never really one of us, were you?" (Character in The Others)
"Good morning, Mrs. Doubtfire, it's lovely to see you looking so well." (Dialogue from Mrs. Doubtfire)
"Tell me about it, Mrs. Nesbitt." (Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story)
Etymology
The word "Mrs." is a shortened form of the older English word "mistress."
Originally, "mistress" (and its male equivalent, "master") was a general term of respect used for any adult who had some authority or skill, or who was the head of a household with servants or apprentices. It didn't specifically mean that the woman was married. So, in earlier times, a single woman who ran a business or managed a household might still be called "Mistress" or "Mrs."
The first known use of "Mrs." as an abbreviation appeared around 1574. At that time, it was used interchangeably with "mistress" in all sorts of situations.
Over time, especially in the 17th century, the written form "Mrs." became more common as a title used before a woman's last name. The big shift in meaning happened gradually, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries, when "Miss" became the common title for unmarried women (originally used for young girls). This distinction made "Mrs." specifically the title for a married woman, which is how we primarily understand it today.
The "r" in "Mrs." remains because it comes from "mistress," even though the pronunciation changed over time to "missus." It's similar to how "Mr." comes from "master" but is pronounced "mister."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Mrs./Mrs
Mrs. Grundy: A personification of the voice of conventional propriety, especially a censorious or prudish one. (From Thomas Morton's play Speed the Plough)
Keeping up with the Mrs. Joneses: An adaptation of "keeping up with the Joneses," meaning to compete with one's neighbors in material possessions or social status.
Mrs. Right: A humorous or informal term for the ideal wife or life partner. (Often paired with "Mr. Right")
Mrs. Fix-It: A woman who is good at repairing things or solving problems. (An adaptation of "Mr. Fix-It")
A regular Mrs. Claus: Describing a woman who embodies the spirit of generosity, warmth, and holiday cheer, similar to Santa Claus's wife.
Being the little woman / little missus: A somewhat dated or informal phrase referring to a wife, often implying a traditional or subordinate role within a marriage.
The old ball and chain (referring to a wife): A jocular, and sometimes derogatory, idiom for one's wife, implying a burden or restriction on freedom. (This uses a concept of "wife," for which "Mrs." is the title)
To be the lady of the house: To be the primary female resident or head of a household, often in charge of its management. (Related to the concept of "Mrs.")
Playing the dutiful wife/missus: Acting in a way that aligns with traditional expectations of a wife's behavior, often involving obedience or support.
Happy wife, happy life: A common saying suggesting that a man's happiness is dependent on his wife's happiness. (Uses "wife," connected to "Mrs.")
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of Mrs./Mrs from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
