esquire

IPA/ɪˈskwaɪər/
KK[ˈɛskwˌaɪr]IPA/ˈe.skwaɪr/

esquire — noun

  • esquiresingular
  • esquiresplural

1. the written title Esquire, placed after a man's full name in an address line or

1.nounB2
Definition

the written title Esquire, placed after a man's full name in an address line or other formal paperwork as a polite mark of respect.

Example

The club secretary addressed the envelope to Christopher Hale, Esquire.

Esquire placed after a man's full name in formal writing

On the printed guest list, Ramon Ortega appeared as Ramon Ortega, Esquire.

Common collocations
  • write Esquire after a name
  • address an envelope to [name], Esquire
  • use Esquire on formal paperwork
Synonyms
  • Mr.

    a standard male title placed before a surname or full name, not after it

  • courtesy title

    a broad label for polite name markers, not this exact written form

Grammar Patterns

[full name], Esquire

[full name], Esq.

Usage Note

Mostly seen in formal written addresses and older-style correspondence. Unlike sense 2, this use does not tell you the person is a lawyer; it simply acts as a polite title after a man's full name.

Common Mistakes

Esquire Christopher Hale
Christopher Hale, Esquire
In this use, the title follows the full name instead of coming before it.

2. the title Esquire, written after a lawyer's full name in formal legal writing to

2.nounB2
Definition

the title Esquire, written after a lawyer's full name in formal legal writing to show that the person is a qualified lawyer, whether male or female.

Example

The letter from Salma Nouri, Esquire, explained the next court date.

Esquire after a lawyer's name in legal correspondence

Meera Patel, Esquire, signed the contract on behalf of her client.

lawyer title used after a full name

Common collocations
  • [name], Esquire
  • sign as [name], Esquire
  • letter from [name], Esquire
Synonyms
  • attorney

    a common US job noun for a lawyer; unlike Esquire, it is not a title written after the name

  • lawyer

    the general profession word; Esquire is a formal written title linked to that profession

Grammar Patterns

[lawyer's full name], Esquire

[lawyer's full name], Esq.

Usage Note

Mostly used in American legal signatures, letters, and document headings, often as the abbreviation 'Esq.'. Unlike sense 1, this use identifies the person's profession and can follow the name of a female lawyer too.

Common Mistakes

Esquire Salma Nouri wrote back.
Salma Nouri, Esquire, wrote back.
In this title use, Esquire follows the lawyer's full name instead of coming before it.

3. in medieval Europe, a young nobleman who served a knight, helped with equipment

3.nounC1
Definition

in medieval Europe, a young nobleman who served a knight, helped with equipment and messages, and was training to become a knight himself.

Example

As a young esquire, Liam carried the knight's shield into battle.

historical role serving a knight before knighthood

At dawn, Min the esquire brushed the horses before the lord woke.

Common collocations
  • young esquire
  • serve as an esquire
  • carry a knight's shield
  • train as an esquire
Synonyms
  • squire

    a historical word often used for the same role, though it can sound slightly less formal

  • attendant

    a broader word for someone serving a higher-ranking person, without the training sense

Grammar Patterns

serve as an esquire

an esquire to a knight

Usage Note

This historical sense appears in writing about medieval Europe. Unlike senses 1 and 2, it behaves like an ordinary count noun, so you can say 'an esquire' or 'two esquires'.

Common Mistakes

The esquire was already a knight.
The esquire was still training to become a knight.
An esquire served a knight but had not reached knighthood yet.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

'Esquire' is not the everyday job word for a legal professional. It is a formal written title placed after a lawyer's full name, especially in American legal letters and signatures. 'Lawyer' is the broad, neutral word for someone trained and licensed to practise law. 'Attorney' is the usual American term for a lawyer and often appears where a person represents a client in court or in negotiations. 'Barrister' belongs mainly to the British system and refers to a lawyer who traditionally specialises in courtroom advocacy. A contract might be signed by 'Meera Patel, Esquire', but in conversation you would usually say 'She is a lawyer' or, in American English, 'She is an attorney'.

Esquire ↗lawyer ↗attorney ↗barrister ↗

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishModern English

Esquire came into English through Old French from a Latin word linked to carrying a shield. It first referred to a young nobleman who served a knight and learned the skills needed for knighthood. Later, because men of higher social standing could be called esquires, the word developed into a respectful written title after a name. In modern legal English, especially in the United States, it is often used after the full name of a lawyer.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1