mister

1 of 2

noun (1)

mis·​ter ˈmi-stər 

for sense 1 ˌmi-stər

or in rapid speech (ˌ)mis(t)

1

Mister : mr.

—used sometimes in writing instead of Mr.

2

: sir

—used without a name as a generalized term of direct address of a man who is a stranger

Hey, mister, do you know the time?

3

: husband

mister

2 of 2

noun (2)

mist·​er ˈmi-stər 

: a device for spraying a mist

Synonyms of mister

Noun (1)

• husband

Examples of mister in a Sentence

Noun (1)

I'll check with the mister and see if we're free that weekend

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Use a shallow drip fountain or mister to provide water. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 May 2026

Lineage is also using misters inside the building to try to deodorize the food until it is removed from the site. — Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

The city of Boise also opened splash pads and cooling misters to the public on Memorial Day. — Hali Smith june 2, Idaho Statesman, 2 June 2026

Spritzing your skin with cool water from a plant-mister creates evaporative cooling that mimics sweat and can drop your body temperature quickly. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

alteration of master entry 1

Noun (2)

mist entry 2 + -er entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1973, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mister

• blister
• lyster
• sister
• twister
• resister
• resistor
• stepsister
• transistor

Kids Definition

mister

1 of 2 noun

mis·​ter ˈmis-tər 

for sense 1 ˌmis-tər

1

—used sometimes in writing instead of Mr.

2

: sir sense 2

—used without a name as a term of direct address of a man who is a stranger

hey, mister, do you want to buy a paper?

mister

2 of 2 noun

mist·​er ˈmis-tər 

: a device for spraying a mist

Etymology

Noun

an altered form of master

Noun

²mist "to cover with a mist" and ²-er "one that does (a specified action)"