2 syllables: Mess, rs. Stress on Mess.
MES-urz
/ˈmɛsɚz/
Messrs is pronounced MES-urz (/ˈmɛsɚz/). It has two syllables (Mess-rs), with the stress on "Mess". Messrs is a plural formal title used in mailing addresses or formal writing to refer to multiple male individuals, typically preceding surnames (e.g., Messrs. Smith and Jones). It is pronounced as a contracted form of 'Misters' and functions as a proper noun in plural form. It conveys formality and is common in business and legal contexts, where listing multiple names is necessary without spelling every name fully.
nounMessrs is a plural formal title used in mailing addresses or formal writing to refer to multiple male individuals, typically preceding surnames (e.g., Messrs. Smith and Jones). It is pronounced as a contracted form of 'Misters' and functions as a proper noun in plural form. It conveys formality and is common in business and legal contexts, where listing multiple names is necessary without spelling every name fully.
How to Pronounce Messrs
"The contract was signed by Messrs. Smith, Jones, and Clarke."
"Messrs. Brown & Co. issued a statement."
"The meeting was attended by Messrs. Smith and Lee."
Pronounce as two syllables: ['ˈmɛs.əz'] in broad terms, but most speakers say it quickly as ['ˈmɛsɚz'] or ['ˈmɛsɚz̩'] in connected speech. Start with 'mes' like 'mess,' then glide to a light schwa and final 'rz' cluster. Place the primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU commonly /ˈmɛsərz/ or /ˈmɛsəz/. Mouth: lips neutral-to-relaxed, tongue high-mid for 'e', tip of tongue near the alveolar ridge for 's', followed by a soft, reduced second syllable.
Common errors: treating it as one syllable ('mesriz'), over-articulating the second syllable ('mes-ers'), or adding an extra vowel sound. Correct by recognizing the second syllable is a reduced schwa or syllabic consonant; aim for a quick 'mes-əz' or 'mes-ərz' with a short, soft second syllable. Use IPA /ˈmɛsərz/ and keep the 's' sound crisp but not jagged.
US/UK/AU share the two-syllable structure, but vowel quality and rhotics vary. US and AU typically pronounce rhotic /ɹ/ in the second syllable, sounding closer to /ˈmɛsərz/. In non-rhotic UK varieties, the /ɹ/ is less pronounced or omitted in coda position, yielding /ˈmɛsəz/ with a weaker r. Vowel quality of the first syllable (short /e/) remains similar across accents. Overall, keep the first syllable steady and reduce the second to a quick /ər/ or /əz/ depending on accent.
The difficulty comes from the cluster of letters that represent a relaxed second syllable with a reduced vowel; many learners overemphasize the second syllable or fail to reduce it, producing 'mess-ers' with a full vowel. The word relies on a subtle schwa or syllabic consonant in the second syllable, plus a crisp initial 'mes' consonant cluster. Focusing on a light, quick second syllable and practicing the two-syllable rhythm helps you sound natural.
A key uniqueness is the contraction-like feel of 'Messrs' from 'Misters' and the often unstressed second syllable; in connected speech you’ll hear it almost as one quick unit. The first syllable 'mes' carries primary stress; the second is a light 'ər' or 'əz' that may be barely audible, especially in fast, formal contexts. Practice with a slight vocalic reduction to match typical business pronunciation.
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US: rhotic /ɹ/ in the second syllable; maintain lip rounding minimal and keep /e/ as a short, close-mid vowel. UK: less pronounced rhotic, second syllable reduced to /əz/ closely, sometimes with a barely audible /ɹ/. AU: similar to US, but vowel lengths can be slightly shorter; ensure the /ˈmɛs/ portion remains crisp. IPA guides: US /ˈmɛsərz/, UK /ˈmɛsəz/, AU /ˈmɛsəz/.
Messrs is the conventional abbreviation for the plural of Mister. The term Mister derives from the Latin title Dominus, via Old French maistre, then English. In English typography, the abbreviation Messrs. uses the capital M followed by the two letters 'essrs' to signal multiple male addressees. The first known usage of Messrs as an abbreviated form in English business correspondence traces to the 18th or 19th century, aligning with the era’s etiquette of formal address for partnerships and firms. The evolution reflects the shift from fully written titles to compact abbreviations in print to save space while preserving formality. Over time, period punctuation (Messrs.) became standard in British and American English for lists of male signatories. The term remains in formal archives and legal documents, typically inBritish English contexts where business forms and ledgers preserve archaic stylistic conventions. In modern practice, Messrs is less common in casual prose but still encountered in official documents and old-style correspondence where traditional titles are preserved. The pluralization underscores collective representation rather than a single individual’s name.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Messrs" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Messrs" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Messrs"
-ess sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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