man
noun
Definitions of man noun
male
- A1Countable
an adult male human being
a young/tall man
men and women
the man in the green jacket
- Countable
a male employee
The gas company stated that they would dispatch personnel to address the gas leak.
The representative from the newspaper provided a positive review of the film.
Our contact in Washington relayed the information via fax yesterday.
- Countableold-fashioned
a male servant
My servant will escort you to the door.
- Countableinformal
a husband or male sexual partner
I heard that she has a new boyfriend.
Is there a significant man in her life?
- informal
used when talking to someone, especially a man
Hey, man, how are you doing?
people
- B2Uncountable
the human race
Humankind remains considerably more intelligent than even the most sophisticated robots.
The human race is rapidly destroying the planet.
This ranks among the most perilous substances known to humanity.
- Countableliterary
a person
All individuals are equal under the law.
object
- Countable
any of the objects that are moved or played with in games such as chess
Phrases of man noun
- man and wife
Used to describe a man and a woman who are married to each other.
• No sooner had the couple been pronounced man and wife than the trouble started.
- men
Male members of the armed forces who do not hold an officer rank.
• The military expedition consisted of 100 officers and men.
- a marketing, advertising, etc. man
A man who works in or is typical of the fields of marketing, advertising, or related areas.
• The company's marketing man proposed an innovative promotional campaign.
verb
Definitions of man verb
- Transitive
To man something such as a machine or vehicle is to be present in order to operate it.
The telephone lines are staffed 24 hours a day.
Assign personnel to monitor the pumps!
suffix
Definitions of man suffix
having the nationality or job mentioned, or (of a group or vehicle) containing the number of people mentioned
an Irishman
a policeman
businessmen
exclamation
Definitions of man exclamation
used to express a strong emotion
Man, we had an amazing time last night; we were drinking all night!
Idioms
- man's inhumanity to man
the barbaric and cruel treatment of one person by another.
• War is the most evident example of man's inhumanity to man.
- You the man!
An expression used to praise someone for doing something well.
• You actually fixed that old car, you the man!
- (as) man to man
Describes a serious, honest, and equal conversation between two men.
• We need to find time to talk man to man and resolve all the issues.
- as one man
When a group of people acts as one man, they act together in complete unison and at the same moment.
• Upon hearing the command, the soldiers stood up straight as one man.
- It's every man for himself
This idiom describes a situation where everyone is prioritizing their own needs and advantages, without considering or helping others.
• When the fire alarm went off, the office was in chaos, everyone was just trying to escape, it was every man for himself.
- man's best friend
This idiom refers to a dog, often used to express that dogs are loyal companions to humans.
• Many people consider dogs to be man's best friend because they are loyal and always there for them.
- man and boy
From childhood through adulthood; throughout a person's entire life.
• He has been familiar with the industry since childhood, you could say he's been in it man and boy.
- to a man
Refers to every individual within a group, without exception.
• After hearing the president's speech, they all applauded in agreement, to a man.
- a man's man
A man who is strongly interested in activities considered to be masculine and enjoys the company of other men.
• He is definitely a man's man; he loves fixing cars, hunting, and watching football games.
- the man in the moon
A representation of a human face or figure that some people imagine they see in the markings on the surface of the moon, often depicted in children's stories.
• The children looked up at the sky at night, trying to find the man in the moon.
- you the man!
An expression used to commend someone for accomplishing something successfully.
• You actually finished the report at the last minute, you the man!
- be man enough to do something
To possess the courage or fortitude to do something.
• He should be man enough to face the consequences of his actions.
- it's every man for himself
This idiom describes a situation where individuals prioritize their own interests and well-being, often at the expense of others.
• When the company announced layoffs, it immediately became 'every man for himself,' with everyone scrambling to secure their own positions.
- make a man (out) of someone
To cause someone, especially a young man or boy, to develop the qualities of a mature, responsible adult.
• The hardships he faced in his youth really made a man of him.
- man on!
A warning shouted to a football player who has possession of the ball, indicating that an opposing player is approaching from behind.
• As he prepared to pass, his teammate shouted, 'Man on!' to warn him about the defender behind.
Phrasal Verbs of man
- man up
employed to urge someone to confront a situation with more courage
• During tough times, you need to show courage; it's time to man up.