Forms of Address

Mr - 

Use this for adult men and in conjunction with the last name. Sometimes you may hear “Mister!” used by itself as a call after a man whose name is not known. “Mister! you forgot your wallet.”

Mrs - 

Use this to address women older than 18. Some unmarried women may correct you to “miss”, others, married or not, might prefer to be addressed by “Ms.”

Ms - 

This is a form of address used for woman of all ages together with a last name.

Miss - 

This form of address is used for younger women, primarily. Nowadays it is more common in the southern part of the United States, where it is used either without a name, with a first name or with the last name.

Ma’am - 

This is a common form of address for women in the southern parts of the United States. It is used without a name as a sign of respect.

Sir - 

This is a common form of address for men, particularly in the military and in the southern part of the United States. It is used without a name as a respectful form of address.