Dame vs. Sir — What's the Difference?

A title given to a woman equivalent to the rank of knight.

A title of honor given to knighted men.

Used as a form of address for a woman who has received a damehood.

Can also be a polite form of address for men in general, especially in formal contexts.

Sometimes used informally to refer to a woman in a playful or affectionate manner.

In educational settings, a respectful address for teachers and professors in some regions.

In theatrical or slang contexts, it can refer to a female role played by a male actor.

Historically used to refer to a feudal lord or noble.

Historical usage denotes a woman of rank, authority, or respect.

Used as a formal address for men who have been knighted.

Dame is an honorific title and the feminine form of address for the honour of damehood in many Christian chivalric orders, as well as the British honours system and those of several other Commonwealth countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, with the masculine form of address being sir. It is the female equivalent for knighthood, which is traditionally granted to males.

Sir is a formal English honourific address for men, derived from Sire in the High Middle Ages. Traditionally, as governed by law and custom, "Sir" is used for men titled as knights, i.e., of orders of chivalry, and later also applied to baronets and other offices.

Used formerly as a courtesy title for a woman in authority or a mistress of a household.

Sir Used as an honorific before the given name or the full name of baronets and knights.

A married woman; a matron.

Used as a form of polite address for a man

An elderly woman.

Used as a salutation in a letter

Often Offensive Slang A woman.

A man of a higher rank or position.

A woman holding a nonhereditary title conferred by a sovereign in recognition of personal merit or service to the country.

A respectful term of address to a man of higher rank or position, particularly:

The wife or widow of a knight.

To a knight or other low member of the peerage.

Used as the title for such a woman.

To a superior military officer.

(Britain) Usually capitalized as Dame: a title equivalent to Sir for a female knight.

To a teacher.

(Britain) A matron at a school, especially Eton College.

A respectful term of address to an adult male (often older), especially if his name or proper title is unknown.

In traditional pantomime: a melodramatic female often played by a man in drag.

To address (someone) using "sir".

A woman.

A man of social authority and dignity; a lord; a master; a gentleman; - in this sense usually spelled sire.

(archaic) A lady, a woman.

A title prefixed to the Christian name of a knight or a baronet.

A queen.

An English rendering of the LAtin Dominus, the academical title of a bachelor of arts; - formerly colloquially, and sometimes contemptuously, applied to the clergy.

To make a dame.

A respectful title, used in addressing a man, without being prefixed to his name; - used especially in speaking to elders or superiors; sometimes, also, used in the way of emphatic formality.

A mistress of a family, who is a lady; a woman in authority; especially, a lady.

Term of address for a man

The mistress of a family in common life, or the mistress of a common school; as, a dame's school.

A title used before the name of knight or baronet

A woman in general, esp. an elderly woman.

A mother; - applied to human beings and quadrupeds.

Informal terms for a (young) woman

A woman of refinement;

Achievements or service that are considered exceptional in fields such as the arts, charity, business, or public service.

Yes, these titles can be awarded honorarily to non-British citizens, although they may not use the title.

Yes, they are equivalent honors, with "Dame" being the female title and "Sir" the male title.

They originate from the European medieval chivalric orders where titles were bestowed for service to the monarch or country.

They are addressed as "Dame [First Name]" or "Sir [First Name]."

Yes, there is usually an investiture ceremony at which the monarch or a representative confers the honor.

It is seen as a mark of high respect and recognition of a woman's achievements.

It implies a level of distinction and respect for the individual's contributions.

No, the type of contributions is generally similar, involving significant impact in specific fields.

In writing, they are often referred to by their full title and name, for instance, Dame Maggie Smith or Sir Anthony Hopkins.