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.