: of or relating to just one individual: such as
a
: consisting of only one individual
a one-man committee
b(1)
: done, presented, or produced by only one individual
a one-man stage play
(2)
: featuring the work of a single artist (such as a painter)
a one-man show of oils
c
: designed for or limited to one individual

Examples of one-man in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web He’s been an in-demand actor and speaker and still performs a one-man show at least 40 times a year. Valli Herman, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2023 It was based on Billy's autobiographical book of the same name and the one-man Broadway show (which won a Tony for Best Special Theatrical Event in 2005) following the book’s release. Kaitlin Stevens, Peoplemag, 26 Nov. 2023 The album’s origins date back to 2017, when Rogers began a one-man show in New York City, making fun of the very concept of the celebrity Christmas album. Stephen Daw, Billboard, 24 Nov. 2023 Turturro told a story about rehearsing a one-man show of Portnoy’s Complaint while Roth stood in the back of the room wearing a raincoat. Hannah Gold, Harper's Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023 In the course of more than 40 years behind the one-man operation, Strachwitz became the single most important and formidable folklorist of his generation. Joel Selvin, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Nov. 2023 In the Senate, meanwhile, Tommy Tuberville, a first-term G.O.P. member from Alabama, who is better known for his years as Auburn’s head football coach, has waged a one-man campaign to block hundreds of military promotions for the past nine months. Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2023 Thorpe rushes, returns kicks and does all the kicking in putting on a one-man show. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2023 Live Coverage Feed 14 hours ago Republicans Greet Mike Johnson With Hugs Inside the room, Republicans are approaching Rep. Mike Johnson (R., La.), who is almost a one-man receiving line. Siobhan Hughes, WSJ, 25 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'one-man.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of one-man was in 1842

Dictionary Entries Near one-man

Cite this Entry

“One-man.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one-man. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

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