Ms vs. Mrs — What's the Difference?

"Ms." and "Mrs." are both honorifics or titles used before a woman's last name or full name. "Ms." stands as a neutral title that does not indicate a woman's marital status. It's a modern form of address that rose to popularity during the feminist movement, allowing women to be identified without referencing their relationship to a man. In contrast, "Mrs." traditionally denotes a woman who is married and has assumed her husband's surname. In some cases, even if a woman retains her maiden name, she might still be addressed as "Mrs."

Over time, "Ms." has become a standard and widely accepted form of address, especially in professional settings. It allows for privacy and can be used to address any woman when her marital status is unknown or deemed irrelevant. On the other hand, "Mrs." continues to be used as a form of respect for those who are known to be married or have been married in the past.

The pronunciation of "Ms." is [miz], while "Mrs." is typically pronounced as [missiz]. It's worth noting that while both terms are rooted in English traditions, their usage has spread internationally, with slight variations in pronunciation and application based on regional or cultural norms.

Historically, there was a clear demarcation in using these titles, with young unmarried women being addressed as "Miss" and married women as "Mrs." However, with evolving societal norms and an increased focus on gender equality, "Ms." emerged as a versatile alternative to sidestep assumptions and potential biases related to marital status.