man
man — verb
1. To make sure a place, machine, telephone line, or service has enough people work
To make sure a place, machine, telephone line, or service has enough people working at it so it can run properly, or to work at a particular position yourself.
The museum is manned by a team of volunteers every weekend.
passive: be manned by [group]
Gabriela manned the information desk at the train station for eight hours.
The ship was manned by a crew of twenty experienced sailors.
passive: be manned by [crew size]
Volunteers are needed to man the phones during the charity event.
infinitive: man the phones
A single security guard manned the entrance to the building all night.
- man a desk
- man a station
- man a phone / man the phones
- man a ship / man a vessel
- man a position
- manned by volunteers
- manned by crew
- manned 24 hours a day
Grammar Patterns
man + noun phrase (place / machine / service)
Usage Note
Frequently used in passive voice (be manned by...). In modern usage, some writers prefer staff, operate, or run to avoid gender associations with the word man.
Common Mistakes
man — noun
1. A fully grown male person, seen in contrast to a woman or a child.
A fully grown male person, seen in contrast to a woman or a child.
A tall man in a blue jacket walked into the shop.
countable noun: a man + description
The man at the counter gave Kemi her change.
Rafael is the first man in his family to go to university.
Several men were waiting outside the hospital entrance.
plural form: men
Lúcia said she saw a man wearing a red hat near the bus stop.
- young man
- old man
- tall man
- businessman
- family man
Grammar Patterns
a man
the man
men
Usage Note
Plural 'men' is irregular and must be memorised as a separate form. Use 'a man' when referring to one unspecified adult male; use 'the man' when referring to a specific one that has already been mentioned.
Common Mistakes
2. An adult whose gender identity is male, whether or not they were considered male
An adult whose gender identity is male, whether or not they were considered male at birth.
Eli is a transgender man who started hormone therapy last year.
compound noun: transgender man
The clinic offers support groups for men who are transitioning.
Christopher gave a talk about what it means for him to live as a man.
More public figures now identify openly as transgender men.
plural: transgender men
- transgender man
- trans man
- identify as a man
- trans man
shortened form, commonly used within the community
Grammar Patterns
a man
the man
transgender man
Usage Note
Use 'transgender man' or 'trans man' only when the person's trans status is relevant to the context. In many situations, simply 'man' is correct and respectful. The term describes identity, not medical history.
Common Mistakes
3. A man who is employed to do a particular type of job, especially one that involv
A man who is employed to do a particular type of job, especially one that involves practical or manual work done at different locations.
The gas man came this morning to fix the boiler.
job role: the [something] man
Putri called the repair man about the broken washing machine.
Hari works as the post man in our neighbourhood.
The men from the delivery company brought a large box to the door.
plural: the men from + organisation
Aoi asked the maintenance man to check the lights in the hallway.
- gas man
- post man
- repair man
- delivery man
- maintenance man
Grammar Patterns
the + noun + man
man who + verb
Usage Note
Common in compound job titles such as 'postman', 'fireman', 'repairman', though many of these have gender-neutral alternatives (e.g., 'postal worker', 'firefighter') that are now preferred in formal use.
Common Mistakes
4. A man who serves in a country's military at a rank below the officer level.
A man who serves in a country's military at a rank below the officer level.
The commanding officer ordered his men to advance across the bridge.
men = soldiers under command
Bilal served as a young man in the navy for four years.
The general spoke to the men before the battle began.
Two men from the army helped the villagers build a new school.
- the men
- officers and men
- the men in uniform
- command the men
- officer
a person of higher rank who commands the men
Grammar Patterns
the men
men in + branch of military
Usage Note
Often used collectively as 'the men' to refer to soldiers or crew members of lower rank. Increasingly used in a gender-neutral way in modern military contexts.
5. A male servant who works in a household, performing tasks such as cleaning, serv
A male servant who works in a household, performing tasks such as cleaning, serving meals, or attending to the employer's personal needs.
The old manor employed ten men to work in the house and gardens.
historical context: manor + employed men
Élise asked the man to bring more wood for the fireplace.
In the Victorian era, every wealthy household had several men on the staff.
The duke's man opened the carriage door for the visitors.
- the duke's man
- the butler and the men
- gentleman's gentleman
- manservant
more specific and formal
- butler
the chief male servant in a large household
- valet
a man's personal male servant
- attendant
someone employed to look after another person
Grammar Patterns
a man
the man
Usage Note
This sense is now historical or literary. In modern English, 'manservant', 'butler', or 'valet' are more specific alternatives. 'Employee' or 'domestic worker' are preferred in contemporary contexts.
6. A man who belongs to a particular profession, industry, or place — for example,
A man who belongs to a particular profession, industry, or place — for example, a person working in advertising, a man from a specific city, or someone dedicated to a certain activity.
Jude is an advertising man who works for a big agency in London.
compound: advertising man
The company sent their marketing man to talk to the client.
Kemi is a city man through and through — he loves the busy streets.
Mayumi's father was a railway man who worked on the trains for thirty years.
In a small town, the local newspaper man knows everyone's name.
compound: newspaper man
- advertising man
- marketing man
- city man
- newspaper man
- company man
- professional
gender-neutral, focuses on the career aspect
- specialist
emphasises expertise in a field
Grammar Patterns
the [field] man
[field] man
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 3 (MALE EMPLOYEE): sense 3 focuses on manual or service jobs (gas man, post man), while sense 6 focuses on broader professional or categorical identity (advertising man, city man, railway man). Sense 6 can also describe a person's association with a place or hobby.
7. a woman's husband or the man she has a romantic relationship with
a woman's husband or the man she has a romantic relationship with
Yasmin has been with her man for over ten years now.
collocation: 'her man' = romantic partner
Ritu introduced her man to the whole family at the New Year dinner.
Christopher still calls his daughter's fiancé 'her man' when joking around.
collocation: 'her man' for fiancé or husband
The expression 'my man' can mean either a husband or a steady boyfriend.
- her man
- my man
- your man
- her man and her kids
Grammar Patterns
possessive determiner + man (her man / my man)
Usage Note
This sense is informal and usually appears with a possessive determiner such as 'her', 'my', or 'your'. It is not used in formal writing.
Common Mistakes
8. used to get someone's attention or to express a feeling such as surprise, anger,
used to get someone's attention or to express a feeling such as surprise, anger, or impatience, usually when speaking to a man
Hey man, do you know when the next bus is due?
direct address: hey man
Come on, man, you said you would help me move this weekend!
Iris shouted 'Man, what a boring film that was!' as they left the theatre.
exclamation: 'Man!' at start of sentence
Layla turned to her friend and asked, 'Hey, man, do you know where the bank is?'
Quan's cousin leaned over in the car and asked, 'Where to, man?'
peer-to-peer address: 'Where to, man?'
- hey man
- come on man
- listen man
- look man
- thanks man
Grammar Patterns
man as a term of address
Usage Note
Used mostly between men, though women may also use it. Can sound impolite if said with a harsh tone. Avoid in formal situations such as meetings or with superiors.
Common Mistakes
9. the fixed phrase 'man and wife' referring to a married couple
the fixed phrase 'man and wife' referring to a married couple
The priest declared them man and wife at the end of the ceremony.
fixed phrase: man and wife
After eight years together, Eli and Esme became man and wife last spring.
The wedding invitation said 'Join us to celebrate Sahil and Élise becoming man and wife.'
Traditional wedding vows often end with the line 'I now pronounce you man and wife.'
set phrase in wedding context
- man and wife
- pronounce you man and wife
- become man and wife
Grammar Patterns
man and wife
Usage Note
This is a set phrase used almost exclusively in wedding ceremonies and related contexts. The reverse order — 'wife and man' — is not used.
Common Mistakes
10. anyone, such as the police or government officials, who holds authority over oth
anyone, such as the police or government officials, who holds authority over others and is often viewed with distrust
The protesters knew the man would be watching them from the side streets.
'the man' = police or authorities
Feng often says you should never run from the man because they will catch you.
In the 1960s, young people used 'the man' for the government or police.
historical counter-culture use
A police car pulled up and the man got out, telling the host to turn the music down.
Dario grew up hearing his uncle complain about the man keeping poor people down.
'the man' = oppressive authority
- the man
- fight the man
- stick it to the man
- the man keeping you down
- the authorities
more neutral and formal than 'the man'
- the establishment
broader — includes social and economic systems, not just police or government
- the police
specific to law enforcement; 'the man' can also mean government
Grammar Patterns
the man
Usage Note
Almost always used with the definite article 'the'. Carries a connotation of opposition or distrust — the speaker sees the authority as controlling or unfair. Common in counter-culture, protest, and hip-hop contexts.
Common Mistakes
11. all human beings thought of as a single group; the human race or species
all human beings thought of as a single group; the human race or species
Scientists are worried about the damage that man has done to the natural environment.
man = the human species
Is man the only species that can create art, music, and literature?
The exploration of space is one of man's greatest and most ambitious achievements.
Early man lived in small groups and survived by hunting animals and gathering wild plants.
early man = prehistoric humans
Eri wrote a school essay arguing that man must protect the planet for the future.
- early man
- modern man
- the history of man
- man's impact on the planet
- humanity
modern gender-neutral alternative; most common in current usage
- humankind
deliberately gender-neutral; less common but increasingly used
- the human race
emphasises the species as a whole; more dramatic in tone
- people
everyday alternative; less abstract than 'humanity'
Grammar Patterns
man (without article) as the human species
Usage Note
Using 'man' to mean all humans is increasingly seen as old-fashioned or excluding women. In modern English, 'humanity', 'humans', 'people', or 'the human race' are preferred. Still common in fixed phrases such as 'early man' and in formal or historical writing.
Common Mistakes
12. a person of any gender, used in general statements about what people do, should
a person of any gender, used in general statements about what people do, should do, or have a right to do
Every man has the right to a fair trial, no matter where he comes from.
generic: every man = every person
A wise man once said that patience is the key to happiness.
Mauricio believes that no man should be judged by the colour of his skin.
generic: no man = no person
Under the law, any man accused of a crime is innocent until proven guilty.
A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client.
- every man
- no man
- any man
- a man
- a reasonable man
- person
modern gender-neutral term; preferred in current English
- individual
more formal; emphasizes a single person distinct from a group
- one
formal and impersonal; common in proverbs ('one should never…')
Grammar Patterns
every man / no man / any man + singular verb
Usage Note
This sense appears in proverbs, legal language, and philosophical statements. Like sense 11, it is increasingly replaced by 'person' or 'one' in everyday speech to avoid implying that 'man' is the default human. Common collocations include 'every man', 'no man', and 'any man'.
Common Mistakes
13. a small object used to represent a player's position or progress in a board game
a small object used to represent a player's position or progress in a board game, such as a chess piece or a counter in backgammon or checkers
Felipe took one of my men with his knight during the chess match.
collocation: take a man / lose a man in chess
In backgammon, each player begins with fifteen men on the board.
collocation: number of men in a game
Xiu moved her last man forward and won the checkers game.
The wooden box contains thirty-two hand-carved men for the chess set.
Allison promoted her man to a king in the draughts tournament.
collocation: promote a man (in checkers/draughts)
- move a man
- take a man
- lose a man
- promote a man
- your remaining men
Usage Note
This sense is most common in chess, checkers, backgammon, and draughts. In modern contexts, 'piece' or 'counter' is often preferred over 'man', especially in rulebooks.
Common Mistakes
14. a person, usually a man, who shows courage, strength, and confidence — the quali
a person, usually a man, who shows courage, strength, and confidence — the qualities that many societies have traditionally expected from males
Eshe told her son to be a man and face the consequences of his actions.
idiom: 'be a man' = act with courage
The coach said Kevin was man enough to admit his mistake in front of the whole team.
pattern: man enough + to-infinitive
Mayumi considers her uncle a real man because he always stands up for others.
collocation: a real man
In the film, the hero proves himself a man by saving the village from the flood.
By apologising, Hassan showed he was more of a man than by refusing to back down.
comparative: more of a man
- be a man
- man enough
- a real man
- prove yourself a man
- more of a man
- coward
someone who lacks courage in the face of danger or difficulty
Usage Note
Frequently used in fixed expressions such as 'be a man', 'man enough', 'make a man out of someone'. Can sound old-fashioned or stereotypical; modern usage often questions the idea that courage and strength belong only to men.
Common Mistakes
man of the hour
idiomThe person who is currently being praised or celebrated, especially at a specific event.
After scoring the winning goal, Jude was the man of the hour at the celebration.
man of his word
idiomA man who always does what he promises to do.
When Bilal said he would help us, he did — he is a man of his word.
to a man
idiomEvery person in a group, without exception.
The team supported the decision to a man, with no one disagreeing.
man to man
idiomOpenly and honestly, between two people who speak directly with each other.
Rafael and his manager talked man to man about the problem at work.
be your own man
idiomTo act independently and make your own decisions, without letting others control you.
Christopher left the family business to be his own man and start a new company.
as one man
idiomEveryone acts or thinks together at the same time.
The audience stood up as one man to applaud the singer.
Did the team vote as one man on the new plan?
To try to please everyone by changing your behavior or opinions.
A politician cannot be all things to all people.
Why do you try to be all things to all men?
be somebody’s man
idiomTo be the best or most suitable person for a particular job.
If you need a plumber, Tom is your man.
For a quick repair, Sara is your woman.
To be strong or brave enough to do something.
He was not man enough to admit his mistake.
Are you man enough for this challenge?
To act or think independently, not following others.
She left the family business to be her own woman.
He has always been his own man, never following trends.
People must take care of themselves and not expect help from others.
In a crisis, it's every man for himself.
During the race, it was every man for himself.
A man who is highly respected in a particular field after many years.
He is the grand old man of jazz music.
The grand old man of physics gave a lecture.
With great energy or force, as if controlled by a spirit.
She worked like a woman possessed to finish the project.
He ran like one possessed towards the finish line.
To help a young man become more mature and responsible.
The tough training camp made a man out of him.
His father hoped the job would make a man of him.
a/the man about town
idiomA man who often goes to fashionable social events and places.
In his new suit, he looked like a man about town.
He is known as a man about town in London.
A person who shares your interests or opinions.
She is a woman after my own heart; we both love hiking.
He is a man after your own heart—he also collects stamps.
man and boy
idiomFrom when someone was young until they are older, often for a long time.
He has worked at the factory man and boy for forty years.
She has lived in this town man and girl since childhood.
An ordinary person, not an expert or official.
The man in the street often does not understand complex laws.
What does the woman in the street think about this policy?
A religious man, especially a priest or minister.
The man of God visited the hospital to pray for patients.
He is a man of the cloth who leads the local church.
The player chosen as the best performer in a sports game.
Messi was named man of the match after scoring two goals.
Who was the man of the match in yesterday's cricket game?
The person who is currently most important or popular.
After winning the award, he became the man of the moment.
The man of the moment gave a short speech to the crowd.
A person with many different skills or talents.
She is a woman of many parts: a writer, painter, and musician.
He is a man of parts, skilled in both science and art.
A person who understands and supports ordinary people.
The mayor is a man of the people, always listening to citizens.
She is a woman of the people, fighting for workers' rights.
A rich and powerful person.
The businessman is a man of substance with many properties.
She became a woman of substance after her company succeeded.
A person with a lot of life experience who is not easily shocked.
Having traveled widely, she is a woman of the world.
He is a man of the world, so nothing surprises him.
man’s best friend
idiomA phrase used to describe a dog, as a loyal companion.
My dog is truly man's best friend; he never leaves my side.
They say a dog is man's best friend for good reason.
A person's home is a private and safe place where they can do as they like.
He believes a man's home is his castle, so he values privacy.
In her house, she rules; a woman's home is her castle.
a man’s man
idiomA man who is more popular with men than with women.
He is a man's man, always hanging out with his buddies.
At the gym, he is known as a man's man.
a marked man/woman
idiomA person who is in danger because enemies want to harm them.
After testifying, he became a marked man.
She is a marked woman because she knows too much.
An average person; anyone else.
I can enjoy a joke as well as the next man.
She is as smart as the next person in the class.
the odd man/one out
idiomA person or thing that is different from others in a group.
Among the three friends, he was always the odd man out.
Which shape is the odd one out in this set?
What one person likes may be disliked by another.
I love spicy food, but one man's meat is another man's poison.
She hates horror movies; one man's meat is another man's poison.
A cheaper or lower-quality version of a famous person or thing.
This wine is the poor man's champagne.
He is often called the poor man's Picasso.
To show who is brave or skilled and who is not.
The difficult exam will separate the men from the boys.
This challenge sorts out the men from the boys.
Used to emphasize that every person in a group does or is something.
The soldiers fought bravely, to the last man.
They agreed to the plan, to a man.
A determined person will eventually succeed despite difficulties.
After losing his job, he started a new business; you can't keep a good man down.
She failed the test but studied harder; you can't keep a good woman down.
man — abbreviation
1. the written short form of 'manual', used in instruction booklets, user guides, a
the written short form of 'manual', used in instruction booklets, user guides, and technical documents to refer to the handbook that explains how something works or how to do something.
Christopher checked the service man. before turning on the new printer.
collocation: check the service man. / check the manual
The man. says to wear safety gloves when handling this chemical.
You will find the installation steps in chapter three of the man.
pattern: find [information] in [section] of the man.
Always read the man. first if you are not sure how to use the machine.
- read the man.
- see man.
- check the man.
- refer to the man.
- service man.
Grammar Patterns
man. + noun (section, page, chapter)
see + man. + page number
Usage Note
Usually written with a period (full stop) after 'man' in formal or published documents. The abbreviation is most common in cross-references within technical writing, such as 'see man. p. 12'.
Common Mistakes
2. the standard written abbreviation for the Canadian province of Manitoba, used in
the standard written abbreviation for the Canadian province of Manitoba, used in postal addresses, official forms, and maps alongside the name of a city or town.
Diya's aunt lives in Winnipeg, Man., near the Red River.
usage: [city], Man. in addresses
The letter was addressed to Portage la Prairie, Man., Canada.
Winnipeg, Man. is the capital city of the province.
We drove from Calgary, AB to Winnipeg, Man. in two days.
pattern: [city], [abbreviation] for Canadian province codes
- Winnipeg, Man.
- Brandon, Man.
- Man., Canada
Grammar Patterns
[City], Man.
[City], Man., Canada
Usage Note
The two-letter postal abbreviation for Manitoba is 'MB' without a period. The form 'Man.' with a period is the traditional written abbreviation used in prose and addresses, not the official Canada Post code.
Common Mistakes
man — exclamation
1. said to show that you feel something strongly, for example when you are surprise
said to show that you feel something strongly, for example when you are surprised, excited, annoyed, or impressed.
Man, that concert was incredible! Felix shouted as the crowd cheered for the last song.
shows excitement / admiration
Oh man, I left my phone on the bus again, Sumin said with a sigh.
shows frustration / annoyance
Man, I can't believe we reached the top, Vivek said, looking at the mountain view.
Tendai looked at the burned cake and said, Man, I really messed that up.
shows disappointment
Man, this hot soup is perfect on a cold day, Constanza said happily.
shows satisfaction / pleasure
- oh man
- man oh man
Grammar Patterns
Man! — alone as an exclamation
Man + [clause]
Usage Note
Almost always appears at the start of a sentence in informal spoken English. The specific emotion depends on the speaker's tone of voice — the same exclamation can convey excitement, frustration, or admiration depending on how it is said.
Common Mistakes
man — suffix
1. used after a noun, an adjective, or a number to describe a person's nationality,
used after a noun, an adjective, or a number to describe a person's nationality, job, or role, or to show how many people make up a team or crew.
The fisherman took his small boat out to sea every morning before sunrise.
job role: [noun] + -man
Nora met a friendly Frenchman at the cooking class in Taipei.
nationality: [country] + -man
A three-man crew repaired the broken water pipe under the street.
group size: [number] + -man
The chairman called the board meeting to order at exactly nine o'clock.
Andrei worked as a cameraman for the local news station for ten years.
occupation: [noun] + -man
- -person
gender-neutral alternative to -man in job and role words (e.g., chairperson, businessperson)
- -woman
specifically female counterpart to -man, used for nationality and occupation (e.g., Englishwoman, policewoman)
- -er / -or
common agent suffixes that serve a similar function for job words (e.g., teacher, actor) but cannot indicate nationality or group size
Grammar Patterns
[noun] + -man
[country name] + -man
[number] + -man
Usage Note
Some compounds formed with -man are increasingly replaced by gender-neutral alternatives. For example, 'firefighter' is now more common than 'fireman', and 'chairperson' or 'chair' is often preferred over 'chairman' in formal writing.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
The most basic sense of 'man' (noun/1) refers specifically to an adult male person. 'Human' and 'person' are gender-neutral and cover all ages and genders — 'human' emphasizes species membership, while 'person' focuses on individual identity. 'Male' is a biological category that applies across species, not just humans, and can sound clinical. 'Gentleman' adds a layer of politeness and good manners; it is used in formal address ('Ladies and gentlemen') or to describe someone who behaves with courtesy. 'Guy' is informal and very common in everyday American and British English, referring broadly to any man without implying specific qualities. 'Fellow' is slightly old-fashioned or British in tone and often suggests a person sharing a particular situation ('a fellow student', 'a decent fellow'). In writing, choose 'man' for neutral adult-male reference, 'guy' for casual conversation, 'gentleman' for formal or polite contexts, and 'person' or 'human' when gender is irrelevant or unknown.
Common collocations
Nouns
- best man
- man of the match
- man of the year
- man of letters
- man of the house
- man of the world
- man of action
- man of few words
- man of the moment
- man of the soil
Phrases
- man for all seasons
- man in the street
- man of his time
- man of the people
- man enough to do something
- as one man
Etymology
The word 'man' comes from Old English 'mann', which originally meant 'human being' regardless of gender — not specifically an adult male. It traces back to the Proto-Germanic root *mann- (related to Old Saxon/Dutch 'man', German 'Mann', Old Norse 'maðr', and Gothic 'manna'). The specialized meaning 'adult male human' developed gradually, while the older generic sense survives in fixed expressions such as 'early man' and 'mankind'. The word is cognate with many Germanic words for 'human' or 'person', suggesting that the root may go even further back to a Proto-Indo-European root *man- meaning 'to think' or 'mind' — making 'man' literally 'the thinking being'.