leading man

noun

: an actor who plays the leading male role

Examples of leading man in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The leading men were outfitted with head-turning wigs and conspicuous facial hair, as well as spot-on replicas of the group's Tommy Nutter suits and denim ensembles. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026

Compared to Chalamet, another leading man with great range but more naked ambition than Pattinson, the British star’s self-effacing personality comes across as more endearing, Weekman believes. — David MacK, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

As De Noche is revived following the casting of a new leading man, Christine Vachon is happy with the new version of the film. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026

Former Heat guard Kendrick Nunn, who has carved out a career as a leading man in Greece, made clear in a recent social-media post that feelings remain for Miami. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 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