Monsieur: meaning, definitions and examples
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monsieur
[ mə̃.sjœʁ ]
French title
Monsieur is a French term used as a title of respect, equivalent to 'mister' in English. It is often used to address men in a formal way or as a polite way of speaking to someone.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Monsieur, may I take your order?
- She greeted the gentleman with a polite 'Bonjour, monsieur.'
- Monsieur Dupont is my neighbor.
- Excuse me, monsieur, could you help me?
Etymology
The term 'monsieur' originates from Old French, where 'mon' means 'my' and 'sieur' comes from 'seigneur,' meaning 'lord' or 'master.' It was originally used to refer to a man of higher social status, denoting respect and authority. Over time, the usage of 'monsieur' broadened and became a standard form of address for men in general, regardless of their social rank. The word is now an integral part of the French language, used in formal and informal contexts alike. The English concept of 'mister' was derived from 'monsieur' as well, reflecting the influence of French culture on the English-speaking world.