- sir
- sir [ weak sər, strong sɜr ] *1. ) SPOKEN used as a polite way of speaking to a man. This word can be used by someone who works in a store or restaurant for speaking to a customer, by someone speaking to a senior officer, or by someone speaking to another person whose name they do not know:That'll be $5.50, please, sir.Would you like a drink, sir?Excuse me sir, do you know what the time is?a ) AMERICAN used by a boy or young man as a polite way of speaking to an older man:Does your mother know about this? No, sir.2. ) BRITISH SPOKEN used by students for talking to or about a male teacher:If you don't know the answer, ask sir.Sir, may I go to the toilet?3. ) Sir used before the name of a man who is a KNIGHT or BARONETDear Sirused for beginning a letter to a man whose name you do not knowyes/no sir AMERICAN INFORMAL OLD-FASHIONEDused for emphasizing what you are saying:Yes sir, we're really rolling now.
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.