wingman

noun

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wing·man | \ ˈwiŋ-mən

, -ˌman \

Definition of wingman

1a : a pilot who flies behind and outside the leader of a flying formation

b informal : a male friend or partner who accompanies and supports a man in some activity While guys find large groups of women intimidating, they think just a few together is the most inviting. If you hang out with a couple of friends, a guy would be able to approach you with a couple of his friends (i.e., wingmen), which would take the pressure off. — Cosmopolitan

2 : winger

Examples of wingman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This battlefield experience came with an unexpected perk—the opportunity to fly with baseball star Ted Williams as his wingman. — Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, "Why John Glenn Couldn’t Escape the Hero Label," 9 Dec. 2020 Former president Barack Obama sprinkles his new memoir with some kind words for his onetime wingman Joe Biden. — Washington Post, "What does Obama really think about Biden? His memoir doesn’t say.," 18 Nov. 2020 Who wants to smoke a pre-rolled joint that’s been rolling around the bottom of a purse all night — or worse yet, tucked behind your wingman’s ear like a carpenter’s pencil? — Los Angeles Times, "25 stoner-approved gifts cannabis enthusiasts will actually use," 30 Oct. 2020 Phillips has been the wingman for postseason breakout star Randy Arozarena in 2020, including taking part in a post-ALDS dance-off and holding up a sign in the dugout proclaiming Arozarena's brilliance in the ALCS. — Jr Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Seven Milwaukee baseball connections to the two teams competing in the World Series," 20 Oct. 2020 The Tigers officially offered Graham a spot in the 2021 class in late May, but according to the 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions, Maryland is the favorite to land the rangy wingman. — Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, "3-star Auburn hoops target James Graham III sets commitment date," 11 Aug. 2020 In a role reversal from their eight years together in the White House, Barack Obama has become Joe Biden’s wingman and, in his understated way, his hatchet man. — W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner, "Obama emerges as Biden’s hatchet man," 1 Aug. 2020 Sign up for a date and you’ll be paired with a compatible person for a video call hosted by a neutral third party, who’s there to help break the ice and spark conversation (think of them as your pandemic dating wingman). — Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, "6 Quarantine Date Ideas for Couples and Singles Ready to Mingle," 24 Apr. 2020 Many of these characters are the types often relegated to the role of best friend: underdogs, men forced to play wingman to their more beautiful and dopey companions. — New York Times, "Two Lies and a Truth: Story Collections Exploring the Spectrum of Human Honesty," 10 Mar. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wingman.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.