Miss (plural Misses or Mlles) A form of address, now used chiefly for an unmarried woman; used chiefly of girls before the mid-1700s, and thereafter used also of adult women without regard to marital status. Miss vs. Ms.

Understanding the Context

People sometimes mistake Ms. for an abbreviation of Miss, since other titles are conventionally abbreviated in writing (e.g., Mrs., Mr., Dr.). In fact, they’re two different terms with different pronunciations, and Miss has no abbreviation but is always written in full. Since both titles can refer to unmarried women, it can be difficult to decide which is the right choice ...

Key Insights

Miss (pronounced / ˈmɪs /) is an English-language honorific typically used for a girl, for an unmarried woman (when not using another title such as "Doctor" or "Dame"), or for a married woman retaining her maiden name. Ms. vs. Miss Origins of Ms and Miss When addressing women, it is important to understand the difference between the titles Ms and Miss. Miss is used to address an unmarried woman, while Ms can be used to address a woman regardless of her marital status.

Final Thoughts

The word Miss originated from the word Mistress in the 1600s, which was a title used to address a woman of high social status. Over time, the ... What is the difference between Miss, Mrs., Ms., and Mx.? Here’s the definitive answer, along with helpful examples, so you never again confuse these titles.