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.
Powell is now one of Hollywood’s hottest leading men. Zack Sharf, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025 One of Hollywood’s strongest leading men is shedding muscle. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 Thankfully the fifth season of Slow Horses is locked and loaded for a late September release, but Pride and Prejudice will have to make due without its leading man for a minute. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025 All four of the leading men had been with the show since the beginning. Adam Bell, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 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 11 Sep. 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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