missus

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "missus" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a term of address for a married woman, often in informal contexts. Example: "I spoke to the missus about our plans for the weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

SM: There have been many happy days and many unhappy ones, but the most important was the day I met my missus, who is sometimes estranged and sometimes not.

The Guardian - Music

I've got to go to Tesco's to pick up the missus and a groin strain").

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Burns gave the kind of "nudge, nudge, wink, wink, ooh Missus" best man speech that most people hoped had been heard for the last time in the 1970s, though it went down well enough with some of the Tory backbenchers as he spent much of his allotted time indulging his – and their – personal dislike of the Speaker.

The Guardian

I was drinking, smoking, and the missus wouldn't let me see the kids.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Antipholus of Syracuse, new in town, is accosted by Adriana who insists she's his missus.

Independent

I  remember my mum and dad and my missus and my daughter came and wheeled me out.

Independent

He's got his missus to drop a kid just before the election.

Independent

The trick is to slip in some filth (ooh-er missus) for the adults while making sure it goes over the children's heads.

Independent

The missus will be telling me that's the contract sorted for the next couple of years".

Independent

Me and my missus, we were at the Coachella festival a couple of years ago and Radiohead were headlining.

Independent

Fast forward to Christmas Day 2014 and Mick Carter Danny Dyerr) was doing his nut in the bar after learning that Deano Wickes – who he was about to find out is actually his brother – had raped his missus, Linda (Kellie Bright).

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of your audience when using "missus", as it may be perceived as old-fashioned or even slightly disrespectful in some contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "missus" in formal documents, business communications, or academic papers. Opt for "Mrs." or "wife" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "missus" primarily functions as a noun, serving as an informal term to refer to a wife or married woman. As Ludwig AI correctly points out, it acts as a substitute for "Mrs." in less formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "missus" is an informal noun used to refer to a wife. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent use in News & Media. It's best suited for casual settings, where a familiar tone is desired. Remember to avoid it in formal contexts where "Mrs." or "wife" would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the missis

A variant spelling of the term, closer to its phonetics.

wife

A general and widely understood term for a married woman.

the wife

A common and casual way to refer to one's wife.

Mrs. [Last Name]

A formal title used to address a married woman, followed by her last name.

my old lady

An informal, often affectionate, term for one's wife or partner.

my better half

A somewhat humorous and affectionate term for one's wife or partner.

spouse

A formal and gender-neutral term for a married partner.

partner

A more general term referring to someone in a relationship, not necessarily married.

woman

A very general term; its suitability depends on context.

the ball and chain

A humorous, and often negative, way to refer to one's wife.

FAQs

How can I use "missus" in a sentence?

You can use "missus" as an informal way to refer to someone's wife, as in "I need to ask the "wife" before making any plans" or "The "missis" will be happy to hear that".

What can I say instead of "missus"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""wife"", "Mrs. [Last Name]", "my old lady", or "spouse".

Which is correct, "missus" or "Mrs."?

"Mrs." is a formal title, while "missus" is an informal term for a wife. The correct choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

What's the difference between "missus" and "mistress"?

"Missus" is an informal term for a wife. "Mistress", on the other hand, refers to a woman who has a sexual relationship with someone who is married to someone else. They have completely different meanings.