plural men
ˈmɛn
1
: an adult male human being
He was a shy boy, but he grew to be a strong and confident man.
He's a grown man now.
The movie is popular with men and women.
He's a man of great talent. = He's a very talented man.
a good/bad man
2
: a man or boy who shows the qualities (such as strength and courage) that are traditionally thought of as being proper or typical for men to have
Back then, little boys who cried were scolded and told to "be a man."
He discouraged his son from a career in theater, saying, "A few years in the army will make a (real) man (out) of you!"
A few years in the army will make a (real) man (out) of you!"
Are you man enough to meet the challenge?
3
: someone's husband or boyfriend
Who's the new man in your life? = Who's your new man?
I now pronounce you man [=husband] and wife.
4
a
: an individual human being : person
Time waits for no man. [=for no one]
the differences between men [=people] and beasts/animals
He believes that all men are created equal.
b
: the human race
prehistoric man
It's not a fit night out for man or/nor beast. [=for people or animals]
the problems facing modern man [=the human race in modern times]
Note: Senses 4a and 4b are now sometimes avoided because they are considered sexist.
5
—used when you are talking to a man
(chiefly US, informal) Hey, man, how are you?
(old-fashioned) Pull yourself together, man!
Okay, men, let's go out there and win!
(US, informal) Hey, my man! It's good to see you!
(chiefly Brit, old-fashioned) My good man, can you tell me where the railroad station is?
6
: a male worker who goes to people's homes
The furnace man came to repair the heater.
7
: a group of male workers, soldiers, etc.
The men have threatened to go on strike.
He led his men into battle against overwhelming odds.
8
a
: a man who does a particular kind of work
a medical/military man
b
: a man who has a specified job or position or who belongs to a specified category of worker
—used in combination
a councilman
Has the mailman come yet?
He's a shrewd businessman.
c
: a man who works for or represents a particular person or organization
our man in Washington
He spoke with the president's man.
9
old-fashioned
: a male servant
—usually singular
My man will show you to your room.
10
a
somewhat old-fashioned
: a male student or former student at a college or university
He's a Harvard man.
b
: a man who comes from or lives in a specified town, city, etc.
—used chiefly by journalists
One of the accident victims has been identified as a Boston man.
11
: a man who likes something very much or who is known for some activity or interest
I'm strictly a vanilla ice cream man. [=I'm a man who likes vanilla ice cream]
12
a
: a person who can do what is needed
If you need someone to help organize the files, I'm/he's/she's your man! [=I'm/he's/she's the person you need for the job]
b
: the person someone (such as a police officer) is looking for
He matches the description, but I don't think he's our man.
a detective who always gets his man [=catches the criminal]
13
: one of the pieces in a game like chess or checkers
chiefly US, informal
—used to express excitement, surprise, etc.
Man, what a game!
Oh man, I can't believe she said that!
Man, how much longer can this hot weather last?
mans; manned; manning
1
: to be the person who controls or is in charge of (something)
He stocked shelves while I manned the cash register.
We'll need someone to man the phones this evening.
No one was manning the front desk.
2
: to place people at or on (something) to do work
man the sails/lifeboats
Cite this Entry
“Man.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/man. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.
Copy Citation
