Messrs
Gentlemen, in short
Messrs is the plural of Mr., used before a list of men's names or before the names of partners in a business firm: Messrs. Smith and Jones will see you now, Messrs. Lloyd and Harper, Attorneys at Law.
The abbreviation comes from the French messieurs.
It sounds formal and old-fashioned in contemporary usage.
Men of refinement
- sirsRespectful male addresses
- businessmenMale commercial professionals
- partnersJoint venture participants
- proprietorsBusiness establishment holders
directors · esquires · associates · colleagues · correspondents · recipients · addressees · signatories
Organized social gatherings
- defendantsThose facing prosecution
- plaintiffsThose initiating lawsuits
- trusteesThose holding assets for others
- executorsWill fulfillment appointees
solicitors · counsel · deponents · petitioners · respondents · claimants · witnesses · notaries
Branded formal stationery
- salutationExpression of goodwill
- firmSolid or resolute
- partnershipShared business arrangement
- companyCommercial enterprise or guests
correspondence · invoice · memorandum · contract · agreement · stationery · notation · heading
gentlemen
Men of refinement
- sirsRespectful male addresses
- businessmenMale commercial professionals
- partnersJoint venture participants
proprietors · directors · esquires · associates · colleagues · correspondents · recipients · addressees · signatories · executives
parties
Organized social gatherings
- defendantsThose facing prosecution
- plaintiffsThose initiating lawsuits
- trusteesThose holding assets for others
executors · solicitors · counsel · deponents · petitioners · respondents · claimants · witnesses · notaries · barristers
letterhead
Branded formal stationery
- salutationExpression of goodwill
- firmSolid or resolute
- partnershipShared business arrangement
company · correspondence · invoice · memorandum · contract · agreement · stationery · notation · heading · addressee