Mr vs. Master — What's the Difference?

Mr. is a common honorific used before a surname or full name of an adult male in many cultures, signaling respect and a level of social maturity. It does not indicate marital status. On the other hand, Master is an older form of address for boys and young men, typically under the age of 18, and is now less commonly used in everyday language. It conveys youth and, in historical contexts, could denote a higher social status.

In professional or formal settings, "Mr." is the standard prefix used for men, regardless of their marital status, making it a universal title for adult males in business, social, and official documents. Whereas Master is rarely used in professional contexts today, its application is mostly limited to very formal or traditional settings, such as wedding invitations or legal documents, especially in certain English-speaking countries.

The transition from "Master" to "Mr." traditionally marks a significant rite of passage for young men, moving from youth to adulthood. This change typically occurs around the age of 18 or upon reaching majority. On the other hand, there is no equivalent transitional title for females, who move directly from "Miss" to "Ms." or "Mrs." based on marital status or personal preference, without an age-based distinction.

Historically, "Master" was also used to denote a young man who had servants or was of a higher social standing. It emphasized a distinction from "Mr.," which was originally used for men of lower social ranks. However, these distinctions have largely faded, and "Mr." has become the standard form of address for all adult men, regardless of social status.

In literature and historical documents, "Master" can still be found as a way to address young male characters or historical figures, providing a hint about their age and social background. Meanwhile, "Mr." is ubiquitously used across various forms of media and writing to address adult men, making it a timeless and widely recognized form of address.