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

Detectives arrested and located another suspect in the shooting, Antoine Jones, a little over a week after the shooting, but asked for help identifying and locating another gunman. — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

The Bronx gunman wanted for killing an ex-con who had served time for pimping out girls returned to the crime scene two days later and was busted, police said Wednesday. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026

Orlando was forced to learn that lesson once again 10 years ago, when a gunman killed 49 people at Pulse nightclub. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026

Police said the sisters were sitting inside a black Toyota Camry, parked in an alley outside their apartment, when a gunman walked up and opened fire. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 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