esquire

UK: /ɛˈskwaɪə/

US: /ˈɛskwaɪr, ɛˈskwaɪr/

US: (es′kwī^ər, e skwī^ər′)

Inflections of 'esquire' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

esquires

v 3rd person singular

esquiring

v pres p

esquired

v past

esquired

v past p

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

es•quire  (es′kwī^ər, e skwī^ər′), n., v., -quired, -quir•ing. 
n. 

1. (cap.) an unofficial title of respect, having no precise significance, sometimes placed, esp. in its abbreviated form, after a man's surname in formal written address: in the U.S., usually applied to lawyers, women as well as men;
   in Britain, applied to a commoner considered to have gained the social position of a gentleman. Abbr.: Esq.
2. World History squire (def. 2).
3. World History a man belonging to the order of English gentry ranking next below a knight.
4. World History [Archaic.] squire (def. 1).

v.t. 

5. to raise to the rank of esquire.
6. to address as "Esquire.''
7. to escort or attend in public.

• Latin scūtārius shield bearer, equivalent. to scūt(um) (see scutage) + -ārius -ary
• Middle French escuier
• late Middle English esquier 1425–75

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

esquire / ɪˈskwaɪə/ noun

1. a title of respect, usually abbreviated Esq, placed after a man's name
2. (in medieval times) the attendant and shield bearer of a knight, subsequently often knighted himself

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French escuier, from Late Latin scūtārius shield bearer, from Latin scūtum shield

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

Es•quire /ˈɛskwaɪr, ɛˈskwaɪr/   n. 

1. a title of respect that is sometimes placed, esp. in its abbreviated form, Esq., after a man's last name in formal written address: in the U.S., chiefly applied to male or female lawyers.