leading man

noun

: an actor who plays the leading male role

Examples of leading man in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Pro wrestling was Hollywood suddenly, with Hogan playing the role of leading man. Marc Raimondi june 25, Literary Hub, 25 June 2025 Reacher leading man Alan Ritchson also met the Bidens, as documented in an Instagram post shared early Tuesday. EW.com, 17 June 2025 Lynch came on board to direct the two episodes on Black leading women in Hollywood, while Hudlin was at the helm for the two on Black leading men. Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2025 How, exactly, is the 26-year-old still here, now the potential leading man in Denver’s backfield? Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for leading man

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of leading man was in 1827

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Cite this Entry

“Leading man.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leading%20man. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

leading man

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

More from Merriam-Webster on leading man

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