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Does Miss mean married?

Published in Etiquette Titles 1 min read

No, "Miss" does not mean married.

"Miss" is a traditional title used to address an unmarried woman. In contrast, "Mrs." is the traditional title for a married woman, and "Ms." is a more general title that doesn't specify marital status. It's a polite and professional way to address a woman when you're unsure of her marital status, or when she prefers not to be defined by it.

Here's a breakdown of common titles:

Title Meaning
Miss Traditionally used for an unmarried woman
Mrs. Traditionally used for a married woman
Ms. Doesn't indicate marital status
Mr. Used for a man, regardless of marital status
Mx. A gender-neutral title that doesn't indicate marital status

In modern usage, particularly in professional settings, "Ms." is often the preferred title unless a woman specifically indicates that she prefers "Miss" or "Mrs." Using "Ms." avoids making assumptions about a woman's personal life.