Mister

'Mister' (Mr.) is the standard English honorific for men. Unlike titles that specify marital status, such as 'Miss' or 'Mrs.', 'Mister' applies to all men regardless of whether they are married or single. It serves as a polite way to address someone you do not know well or someone to whom you wish to show deference.

When writing, it is almost always abbreviated as 'Mr.' followed by a period. In American English, a period is mandatory (Mr.). In British English, the period is often omitted (Mr) if the last letter of the abbreviation is the same as the last letter of the full word. It is never used alone as a title; it must be followed by a name (e.g., Mr. Smith). Using 'Mister' alone as a noun (e.g., 'Hey, Mister!') can sound either very informal or, depending on the tone, slightly rude or condescending.

You will encounter 'Mr.' in formal correspondence, business emails, and official documents. It is also standard practice in schools, where students address male teachers as 'Mr. [Surname]'. In social settings, it is used when meeting someone for the first time or when addressing someone in a position of authority.