Ms vs Miss vs Mrs

Share to Google Classroom

Published January 24, 2023. Updated January 24, 2023.

4.4
(18)

Ms., Miss, and Mrs. all sound similar, but they have different meanings and uses. Ms. is a title preceding a woman’s name who is unmarried or whose marital status is unknown or unimportant. Miss is a title preceding the name of an unmarried girl or woman. Mrs. is a title preceding a married woman’s surname. Ms. and Miss are pronounced the same (miss), whereas Mrs. has two syllables (miss-es)

Here are some definitions and examples to help make the use of these words clearer.

Ms. (noun)

Title preceding a woman’s name who is unmarried or whose marital status is unknown or unimportant.

Examples:

                             The kids called their babysitter Ms. Jessica.

                             Ms. Smith watered her shrubs every morning.

 

In both examples, Ms. comes prior to a girl or woman’s name who is either unmarried or whose marital status is unknown or unimportant. Notice how Ms. can be used with a first or last name. Note that in Britain, Ms does not have a period.

 

Miss (noun)

A title preceding the name of an unmarried girl or woman.

Examples:

                            I saw Miss Amy at the store.

                             Paper or plastic, miss?

 

In the first example, Miss is attached to a name as a title indicating Amy is a young, unmarried girl or woman. In the second example, miss is not used as a title but rather as a general term to address a young woman. Miss can be used before a first of last name. It is not conventional to call an older woman miss. Ma’am, short for madame, is the more common term.

 

Mrs. (noun)

Title preceding a married woman’s surname.

 

Examples:

Mrs. Jones was known as a strict teacher.

The bride-to-be was excited to become Mrs. Dillard.

 

In both examples, Mrs. precedes a married woman’s last name. It is not conventional to use Mrs. with a first name (i.e., Mrs. Jenna). Note that in Britain, Mrs does not have a period.

 

Main Points

  • is a title preceding a woman’s name who is unmarried or whose marital status is unknown or unimportant.
  • Miss is a title preceding the name of an unmarried girl or woman.
  • is a title preceding a married woman’s surname.
  • Ms. and Miss are pronounced the same (miss), whereas Mrs. has two syllables (miss-es).

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?