14

What is this type of word called: Mr., Ms., Dr.? In the document I am using, it is referred to as the "prefix", but I don't think that is correct.

Improve this question
3
  • 1
    Prefix is not incorrect per se, but it is not as precise a term.
    – Daniel
    Commented Sep 20, 2011 at 19:12
  • 2
    Wikipedia on Mr: Mister, usually written in its abbreviated form Mr (Commonwealth English) or Mr. (American English), is a commonly used English honorific...
    – Daniel
    Commented Sep 20, 2011 at 19:46
  • 1
    General note: A couple of answers which suggested salutation have been posted. They were heavily downvoted and have been deleted. Salutation is wrong; please don't add that as an answer.
    – Andrew Leach ♦
    Commented Jan 16, 2015 at 7:09

5 Answers 5

Reset to default
31

"Title" and "honorific" both describe that type of word.

Improve this answer
2
  • en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honorific
    – Spare Oom
    Commented Sep 20, 2011 at 17:00
  • Yes, title is what we say in America. But someone from Britain will pipe up and remark that a title is something like "Duke" or "Lord".
    – GEdgar
    Commented Nov 22, 2011 at 16:43
4

I prefer to call those 'appellations.' To me, 'honorific' connotes that it's associated with a position. 'Title' seems neutral enough but it also seems like it's more superfluous, not integral to the naming of something.

Improve this answer
3

Title or in some cases courtesy title.

Improve this answer
1

AP Stylebook calls it a courtesy title.

Improve this answer
1
  • 1
    A courtesy title is a title used as a courtesy, although one is not entitled to it. An example would be that the (as yet) untitled offspring of a noble may use one of their parent's titles. By contrast, a Doctor has earned their title, and likewise Mister is used as of right by anyone.
    – Marcin
    Commented Sep 20, 2011 at 18:37
1

That would be called a "style."

Edit: It can also be a mode of address, if used in that way.

Improve this answer
5
  • 1
    Style is perfectly valid in British English. 9. chiefly (Brit) the distinguishing title or form of address of a person or firm
    – Wudang
    Commented Sep 20, 2011 at 17:40
  • It was my understanding that a style is generally associated with a title of nobility, e.g. bearing the title of "Princess" allows you to use the style "Her Royal Highness Princess [somebody] of [land(s) associated with title of nobility"
    – Dereleased
    Commented Sep 20, 2011 at 17:56
  • 1
    @Dereleased: Then your understanding is wrong. "Mister" is a style just as much as "Princess" is.
    – Marcin
    Commented Sep 20, 2011 at 18:35
  • @Marcin: Perhaps I am. I know that there are times when "Mister" is either a portion of a style or a complete style, but in that case it is associated with some position (e.g. certain clergy positions, or some official government positions in the United states such as "Mr. President", "Madam Speaker", etc), while the generic honorific we tend to say during conversation to anyone would not thus qualify, just as "Sir" is a style when addressing a knight but not when talking to your boss (who is not a knight). I will have to read more on the subject.
    – Dereleased
    Commented Sep 20, 2011 at 19:08
  • 1
    @Dereleased: I don't think we're using the same dictionary. Usually, (at least in BrEng) Mr is a style in 'Mr Smith', part of a style in "Mr Justice Smith" (because that's how you address an envelope), an honorific in "Mr President" (because that isn't) and a mode of address in "Listen, mister". Doctor is the same.
    – Tim Lymington
    Commented Dec 13, 2011 at 12:46

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .