dear sir or madam

dear sir or madam — idiom

1. the standard opening words of a formal letter or email, used when the writer doe

1.idiomB1
Definition

the standard opening words of a formal letter or email, used when the writer does not know the name, gender, or specific title of the recipient

Example

Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to apply for the position of office manager at your company.

fixed salutation + comma before main clause

When Mei-Lin did not know the manager's name, she began her email with 'Dear Sir or Madam'.

used when addressee's name is unknown

Common collocations
  • begin with 'Dear Sir or Madam'
  • address with 'Dear Sir or Madam'
  • start a letter with 'Dear Sir or Madam'
  • use 'Dear Sir or Madam'
Synonyms
  • To Whom It May Concern

    more formal and impersonal; used for reference letters or general inquiries rather than direct correspondence

  • Dear Sirs

    traditional but dated and gender-exclusive; avoided in modern usage

Usage Note

This opening is paired with the closing 'Yours faithfully' (British English) or 'Sincerely' (American English). When the recipient's name is known, use 'Dear Mr/Ms [Surname]' instead. The phrase is becoming less common in modern business emails, where 'Hello' or 'Hi [Name]' is often preferred in less formal contexts.

Common Mistakes

Dear Sirs,' when sending to an organisation.
Dear Sir or Madam,
'Dear Sirs' is outdated and excludes women.
Using a colon after the phrase in a British-style letter.
Dear Sir or Madam,
British English uses a comma; American English uses a colon ('Dear Sir or Madam:').
Dear Sir/Madam,' as a shortened form.
Dear Sir or Madam,
spell out 'or' for the standard, most respectful version.

Synonym discussion

Sense: idiom/1

These three salutations all open formal correspondence when the recipient's identity is unclear. 'Dear Sir or Madam' is the modern standard — it is gender-balanced, polite, and appropriate for job applications, formal complaints, or any letter addressed to an unknown person. 'To Whom It May Concern' is more impersonal and is best reserved for reference letters, certificates, or general statements that are not directed to a specific individual or department. 'Dear Sirs' is traditional but now widely considered outdated because it assumes the recipient is male; most organisations no longer recommend it. Example: write 'Dear Sir or Madam' for a job application; use 'To Whom It May Concern' for a letter of recommendation the candidate will use broadly.

Dear Sir or Madam ↗To Whom It May ConcernDear Sirs

Etymology

Old FrenchMiddle EnglishModern English

The phrase 'Dear Sir or Madam' follows the English letter-writing convention that emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries, when formal correspondence began with 'Dear' (expressing respect, not personal affection) followed by the recipient's title. 'Sir' comes from Old French 'sire' (lord, master), and 'madam' from Old French 'ma dame' (my lady). By the Victorian era, the formula 'Dear Sir' for men and 'Dear Madam' for women was standard, and the combined 'Dear Sir or Madam' became the default when the writer did not know the recipient's gender — a practice still taught in business writing today.