gunman

noun

gun·​man ˈgən-mən 

1

: a man armed with a gun

especially : a professional killer

2

: a man noted for speed or skill in handling a gun

Examples of gunman in a Sentence

They were shot by an unknown gunman.

Recent Examples on the Web

McDougal was pumping gas when three masked gunmen ran at him, firing numerous shots. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 10 July 2026

Just last year, a gunman shot and killed two young Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington. — John Blake, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

The gunman fled on foot, and authorities were working to identify and apprehend him. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 5 July 2026

At least one lone-wolf attack took place on July 4 in recent years—in 2022, a gunman killed seven people and injured many more in a parade shooting in Illinois. — Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

gunman

noun

gun·​man -mən 

: a person armed with a gun

especially : an armed criminal