leading man

noun

: an actor who plays the leading male role

Examples of leading man in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Golding was the leading man of the hugely popular Crazy Rich Asians (2018), Last Christmas (2019), Monsoon (2020), and Daniela Forever (2024). — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026

A lot of my comedy specifically comes from never getting cast as the leading man in anything. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

After showing up in small roles in such Hollywood films as 1958’s Too Much, Too Soon and South Pacific, Harrison headed to Italy and became an instant leading man in the mold of muscleman Steve Reeves with The Invincible Gladiator (1962). — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

Plenty of Heat leading men have gone their own way during offseasons and still led the way. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 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