wingman

noun

wing·​man ˈwiŋ-mən 

-ˌman

1

a

: a pilot who flies behind and outside the leader of a flying formation

b

informal : a male friend or partner who accompanies and supports a man in some activity

While guys find large groups of women intimidating, they think just a few together is the most inviting. If you hang out with a couple of friends, a guy would be able to approach you with a couple of his friends (i.e., wingmen), which would take the pressure off.

—Cosmopolitan

2

: winger

Examples of wingman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The wingman drone for fighter jets has been unveiled alongside a comprehensive suite of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). —Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 10 June 2026

In Katherine Center’s new novel, The Shippers, a woman attending her sister’s cruise-ship wedding ropes her childhood bestie into being her wingman. —The Week Us, TheWeek, 10 June 2026

Nick admitted, though, that Kevin may have taken his role as wingman a little too seriously. —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026

For another, Maverick’s absent wingmen can’t help but remind him that time is always on his tail. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for wingman

• dingman