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

Materials Needed Soft suede brush Cold water Spray bottle or mister Suede-safe cleaner (e.g. an UGG-specific cleanser) Clean sponge Instructions First, grab your soft suede brush and brush off any dirt or debris from your UGG boots. —Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 21 Feb. 2026

Fans cool down in front of water misters at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 27, 2026. —CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026

Using a mister is a common suggestion to combat winter dryness, but Hancock warns that the effects of misting are short-lived. —Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 5 Jan. 2026

Houseplant amateurs will also appreciate this plant mister, which should remind them to water their plants. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2025

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)"