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

Murtagh watches his friend take the hand of the woman he’s obsessed with and instead of beginning to piece things together, assumes Brian is just being a good wingman. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025

At Red Bull, Perez proved to be an ideal wingman for four-time world champion Max Verstappen in the current ground effect era that began in 2022. —Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025

The Rockets, meanwhile, added a future Hall of Famer in Durant to a young core that includes center Alperen Sengun and wingman Amen Thompson. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2025

But Dee Winters, Warner’s wingman in the starting lineup throughout camp, did play the opening two series as the weakside linebacker next to Tatum Bethune, Warner’s impressive understudy. —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for wingman

• dingman