帮助中心

sir

[sɜːr]

sir Definition

  • 1a formal or polite way of addressing a man, especially one in a position of authority or who has been knighted
  • 2a title used before the given name or full name of a knight or baronet

Using sir: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "sir" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    Excuse me, sir, do you have the time?

  • Example

    Sir John Smith was a famous explorer.

  • Example

    May I introduce Sir William Jones?

  • Example

    He was knighted and became Sir Thomas Moore.

sir Synonyms and Antonyms

Phrases with sir

  • an affirmative response to a command or request from someone in authority

    Example

    Yes sir, I will get that report to you by the end of the day.

  • sir or madam

    a polite way of addressing someone when you do not know their gender

    Example

    Good afternoon, sir or madam. How may I assist you?

  • sir/madam, may I help you?

    a polite way of offering assistance to someone

    Example

    As soon as the customer entered the store, the salesperson greeted them with 'Sir/Madam, may I help you?'

Origins of sir

from Old French 'sire', from Latin 'senior', meaning 'older'

📌

Summary: sir in Brief

The term 'sir' [sɜːr] is a formal and polite way of addressing a man, particularly one in a position of authority or who has been knighted. It can also be used as a title before the given name or full name of a knight or baronet. Examples include 'Excuse me, sir, do you have the time?' and 'May I introduce Sir William Jones?'

How do native speakers use this expression?