Used without a name as a form of polite address to a man you do not know; Used without a name as a form of polite address to a man of rank or authority (such as a military or police … Sir is used at the beginning of a formal letter to a man you do not know:

Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. The meaning of sir is a man entitled to be addressed as sir â€used as a title before the given name of a knight or baronet and formerly sometimes before the given name of a priest. A respectful or formal term of address used to a man. See examples of sir used in a sentence. Sir is a formal honorific address in english for men, derived from sire in the high middle ages. Both are derived from the old french sieur (lord), brought to england by the french-speaking normans, … There are 19 meanings listed in oed's entry for the noun sir, two of which are labelled obsolete.

Sir is a formal honorific address in english for men, derived from sire in the high middle ages. Both are derived from the old french sieur (lord), brought to england by the french-speaking normans, … There are 19 meanings listed in oed's entry for the noun sir, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. People sometimes say sir as a very formal and polite way of addressing a man whose name they do not know or a man of superior rank. For example, a shop assistant might address a male customer as sir.

For example, a shop assistant might address a male customer as sir.