leading man

noun

: an actor who plays the leading male role

Examples of leading man in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Throughout his career, Stewart portrayed only a handful of Shakespeare's leading men. — Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026

As one of Hollywood’s most sought-after and beloved leading men in the 1940s and 1950s, his magnetic charm and emotional range captivated audiences worldwide before Marlon Brando or James Dean ever hit the silver screen. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2026

With his eccentric fashion sense and dance moves, lovelorn almost-leading man Duckie remains one of teen cinema’s most memorable characters. — Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2026

After years of guest-starring roles on the small screen, Skerritt eventually transitioned to television as a leading man, playing Sheriff Jimmy Brock in Picket Fences. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for leading man

• businessman
• canavan
• caravan
• constantan
• dragoman
• fisherman
• handyman
• harmattan
• journeyman
• marianne
• middleman
• minivan

Kids Definition

leading man

noun

: an actor who plays the leading male role in a play or movie