sir
Polite male address
Sir is a respectful form of address for a man, used without his name: Yes, sir, Excuse me, sir.
It appears in formal contexts—military, service industries, classrooms—and sometimes sarcastically: Well, sir, I don't think so.
In correspondence, Dear Sir opens letters to unknown recipients. (Capitalized Sir is a British honorific title.)
Formal honorific or name
- addressSpeak to formally
- salutationExpression of goodwill
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
- misterFine spray device
madam · lord · lordship · formal · polite · respectful · deference · veneration
Authority figure in uniform
- commanderPerson with authority over others
- generalWidespread, not specialized
- captainOne who commands
- lieutenantJunior commissioned officer
colonel · major · sergeant · admiral · brigadier · marshal · salute · rank
Honored mounted soldier
- dubbingPost-production sound replacement
- chivalryKnightly code of honor
- squireKnight's noble assistant
- armorProtective combat covering
heraldry · feudal · crusades · lance · tournament · jousting · castle · roundtable
Favorable opinion of worth
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- admirationDeep respect felt
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
politeness · formality · manners · civility · regard · decorum · propriety · acknowledgment
Nobleman or ruler
- baronLow-ranking peer
- earlBritish hereditary noble rank
- viscountMid-ranking British noble
- countReckon a total
marquis · duke · nobleman · peer · landed · gentry · patrician · titled
Purified or cultured
- courteousShowing respectful consideration
- chivalrousHonorably courteous and brave
- polishedSmooth, refined, accomplished
- well-manneredPolite and respectful
debonair · suave · dapper · cultured · urbane · sophisticated · elegant · gracious
title
Formal honorific or name
- addressSpeak to formally
- salutationExpression of goodwill
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
mister · madam · lord · lordship · formal · polite · respectful · deference · veneration · nobility
officer
Authority figure in uniform
lieutenant · colonel · major · sergeant · admiral · brigadier · marshal · salute · rank · subordinate
knight
Honored mounted soldier
- dubbingPost-production sound replacement
- chivalryKnightly code of honor
- squireKnight's noble assistant
armor · heraldry · feudal · crusades · lance · tournament · jousting · castle · roundtable · valor
esteem
Favorable opinion of worth
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- admirationDeep respect felt
courtesy · politeness · formality · manners · civility · regard · decorum · propriety · acknowledgment · recognition
lord
Nobleman or ruler
count · marquis · duke · nobleman · peer · landed · gentry · patrician · titled · elite
refined
Purified or cultured
- courteousShowing respectful consideration
- chivalrousHonorably courteous and brave
- polishedSmooth, refined, accomplished
well-mannered · debonair · suave · dapper · cultured · urbane · sophisticated · elegant · gracious · gallant
- yes sirRespectful military assent
- no sirPolite formal rejection
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- dear sirEpistolary salutation
- sirloin steakCut from lower back
- no siree