snowman

snowman — noun

1. a figure that looks like a person, made by pressing snow into round balls and st

1.nounA2
Definition

a figure that looks like a person, made by pressing snow into round balls and stacking them on top of each other, often with small stones for eyes, a carrot for a nose, and sticks for arms

Example

The children built a snowman with a carrot nose in the park.

collocation: build a snowman

Tara placed small stones on the snowman to make eyes and a mouth.

Common collocations
  • build a snowman
  • make a snowman
  • a snowman melts
  • snowman's nose / eyes / arms / hat
  • a tall / small / funny snowman
Synonyms
  • snow figure

    more general term; can include animals or other shapes besides people

  • snow sculpture

    more artistic and detailed; usually carved with tools rather than rolled by hand

Grammar Patterns

snowman + verb (stands, melts)

build / make + a snowman

Usage Note

The plural form is 'snowmen', not 'snowmans'. A snowman is usually built outside during winter. The word can also refer to the character Frosty in popular children's stories.

Common Mistakes

Two snowmans stood in the yard.
Two snowmen stood in the yard.
the plural of snowman is snowmen, like man → men.
I made a snow in the garden.
I made a snowman in the garden.
'snow' alone refers to the weather, not a figure made from snow.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

While 'snow figure' is the broadest term — it can refer to any shape made from snow including animals, buildings, or abstract forms — a 'snowman' is specifically a human-like figure with a head, body, and often a face. 'Snow sculpture' implies a higher level of artistry: these are carved with tools or molds at competitions, while a snowman is typically hand-rolled by children or families. For everyday use, 'snowman' is the natural choice when describing the classic winter activity. Example: 'We built a snowman in the yard this morning.' vs. 'At the winter festival, there was an amazing snow sculpture of a dragon.'

snow figuresnow sculpturesnowman ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • build a snowman
  • make a snowman
  • a snowman melts away

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

The word 'snowman' is a compound of 'snow' (from Old English 'snāw') and 'man' (from Old English 'mann', meaning a person). The term has been used since at least the 1700s to describe figures made from pressed snow that are shaped to look like people.