sirs
Knights, by title
Sirs is the plural of sir, used when addressing multiple men formally: Good evening, sirs.
It appears in formal correspondence as Dear Sirs, though this salutation has fallen out of favor as gender-neutral alternatives gain ground.
The word sounds old-fashioned in speech but persists in service contexts: What can I get you sirs?
Men of refinement
- misterFine spray device
- madamFormal address for women
- ma'amPolite term for women
- salutationExpression of goodwill
greeting · dear · sahib · signor · monsieur · bwana · effendi · addressee
Honorary title of nobility
- gentlemenMen of refinement
- lordsMen of high rank
- baronetsHereditary British rank below baron
- knightsTitled warriors on horseback
nobility · gentry · peerage · aristocracy · dames · ladies · dukes · marquesses
Favorable opinion of worth
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- admirationDeep respect felt
- regardAttentive consideration given
acknowledgment · recognition · homage · tribute · veneration · appreciation · courtesy · politeness
Those holding authority
- commandersMilitary authority figures
- superiorsThose of higher rank
- saluteGestural sign of honor
- rankPosition in hierarchy
subordinate · enlisted · commissioned · captain · colonel · general · major · lieutenant
gentlemen
Men of refinement
salutation · greeting · dear · sahib · signor · monsieur · bwana · effendi · addressee · recipient
knighthood
Honorary title of nobility
knights · nobility · gentry · peerage · aristocracy · dames · ladies · dukes · marquesses · earls
esteem
Favorable opinion of worth
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- admirationDeep respect felt
regard · acknowledgment · recognition · homage · tribute · veneration · appreciation · courtesy · politeness · decorum
officers
Those holding authority
- commandersMilitary authority figures
- superiorsThose of higher rank
- saluteGestural sign of honor
rank · subordinate · enlisted · commissioned · captain · colonel · general · major · lieutenant · sergeant
- authorityleaders, ruler, rulers, monarch, bosses
- Salutationsgreetings, hello, good morning, good afternoon, good evening
sirsmadams
Female authority figures
ma'ams · ladies · misses · dames · mistresses
sirsservants
Hired household workers
subordinates · underlings · inferiors · minions · lackeys
- yes sirRespectful military assent
- no sirPolite formal rejection
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- dear sirEpistolary salutation
- Sir Francis DrakeTudor sea captain, explorer
- dear sir or madam