Sire

For other uses, see Sire (disambiguation).

Sire is a form of address for reigning kings in the United Kingdom and in Belgium. It was formerly also used in France, Italy, Germany, Sweden and Spain. Historically Sire had a wider usage. During the middle ages Sire was generally used to address a superior, a person of importance or in a position of authority or the nobility in general. It is probable that "sire" and the French "(mon)sieur" share a common etymologic origin, both ultimately being related to the Latin senior.

See also

• Forms of address in the United Kingdom
• King
• Nobility