mister

1 of 2

noun (1)

mis·​ter ˈmi-stər How to pronounce mister (audio)
for sense 1 ˌmi-stər
or in rapid speech (ˌ)mis(t)
Synonyms of misternext
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 How to pronounce mister (audio)
: a device for spraying a mist

Synonyms of mister

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Noun (1)

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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
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Noun
To hear neighbors tell it, the deodorizers, misters and other efforts to mitigate the issues aren’t enough. — Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 There are other cooling spots as well as seven water misters on the fair grounds. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado updated July 17, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026 The event is free, but a $20 VIP tickets buys you some extras, including a shadey sitting area, cooling misters and a bag of snacks. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 16 July 2026 People try to cool down by standing in front of a mister spraying cool water during a heat wave in Rome near the Colosseum on June 26, 2026. — Leigh Kiniry, CBS News, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for mister

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of mister was in 1551

Rhymes for mister

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Browse Nearby Words

mistempered
mister
Mister Charlie
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mister.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mister. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

mister

1 of 2 noun
mis·​ter ˈmis-tər How to pronounce mister (audio)
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 How to pronounce mister (audio)
: 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)"

More from Merriam-Webster on mister

Nglish: Translation of mister for Spanish Speakers

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