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

Before installing the mister, be sure to pop it open and fill it up with water. —Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2026

For indoor growers, Karsch recommends moistening your seed starting mix well before filling trays or small pots and planting, then keeping it moist with a spray bottle or mister. —Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 6 Apr. 2026

Water seeds from the bottom or use a fine mister to keep the soil moist. —Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026

Going forward, keep dust and dirt at bay by regularly spritzing your houseplants with a mister. —Sunshine Flint, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 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)"