man
man
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "man" is /mæn/.
/mæn/
Word Form Variations
Noun: man (singular), men (plural)
Verb: man (base form), mans (third person singular present), manning (present participle), manned (past simple, past participle)
Adjective: (No direct adjective form; "manly" or "mankind" are related but distinct)
Interjection: man! (informal)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: An adult male human being.
Synonyms: male, gentleman, fellow, guy (informal), bloke (British informal)
Antonyms: woman, female, girl, boy
Definition 2: A human being; a person regardless of gender (used in a general sense, sometimes considered old-fashioned or non-inclusive in modern contexts).
Synonyms: human, person, individual, human being, humankind, people (collectively)
Antonyms: animal, machine (as non-human entities)
Definition 3: (Informal) A term of address for a friend or an acquaintance.
Synonyms: dude (informal), buddy (informal), friend, mate (British informal)
Antonyms: (No direct antonym, as it's a term of address)
Definition 4: A male employee or worker.
Synonyms: worker, employee, hand, laborer, operative
Antonyms: employer, boss, manager, owner
Definition 5: (Plural "men") People in general, or the human race collectively.
Synonyms: humanity, mankind, humankind, people, mortals
Antonyms: gods, animals, aliens
Definition 6: A husband or male sexual partner.
Synonyms: husband, partner, spouse, boyfriend, lover
Antonyms: wife, girlfriend, partner (female)
Definition 7: One of the pieces in board games like chess, checkers, or backgammon.
Synonyms: piece, counter, token, chessman, draughtsman
Antonyms: board (game), square (on board)
Verb
Definition 1: To staff or operate (a place, machine, or vehicle).
Synonyms: staff, crew, operate, work, run, superintend
Antonyms: unman, abandon, vacate, leave, desert
Definition 2: To defend or fortify (a position).
Synonyms: garrison, occupy, fortify, defend, guard
Antonyms: abandon, evacuate, surrender, yield
Definition 3 (nautical): To take up a station on (a ship or boat) in preparation for sailing or action.
Synonyms: board, embark on, take up position
Antonyms: disembark, leave, abandon ship
Interjection
Definition 1 (informal): Used to express surprise, pleasure, admiration, or emphasis.
Synonyms: wow, indeed, truly, oh (expressive)
Antonyms: (No direct antonym, as it's an exclamation)
Examples of Use
Books:
"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." (Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina, 1877) - This classic opening refers to "man" indirectly through the universal human condition.
"He was a simple man, but with a heart of gold, always ready to help a neighbor in need." (Fictional example from a character-driven novel)
"The early history of man on Earth reveals a constant struggle against the elements and wild beasts." (From a non-fiction book on anthropology or history)
Newspapers:
"The search continued for the missing man last seen near Lake Naivasha." ("The Standard,")
"The political analyst stated that the current administration needs to man its positions with experienced personnel to navigate the economic challenges." ("Business Daily Africa,")
"Researchers are studying ancient tools to understand how early man adapted to changing climates." ("The New York Times,")
Online Publications:
"How to be a better man: Essential tips for self-improvement and success." (An article on a self-help or lifestyle blog, e.g., "Art of Manliness,’’)
"The cybersecurity firm needed to man its new 24/7 operations center with highly skilled specialists." (A job posting or news article on "TechCrunch,")
"Our guide to understanding the history of Mankind and its impact on the planet." (An educational article on "Live Science,")
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I'm just a man, standing in front of a girl, asking her to love him." (Hugh Grant as William Thacker in Notting Hill, 1999)
Television Series: "Our team needs to man the defenses; the enemy is approaching!" (Dialogue from a military or fantasy series, e.g., Game of Thrones)
Song Lyrics: "Man, I feel like a woman!" (Shania Twain, "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!", 1999)
Video Games: "Your character is a lone man against an army; choose your battles wisely." (Game description or tutorial, e.g., Metal Gear Solid)
Podcasts: "Man, that was an intense interview! I learned so much." (A podcast host reacting to a guest, informal use)
General Public Discourse:
"Hey, man, how are you doing?" (A very common informal greeting among friends)
"There's a good man working at the garage; he fixed my car quickly." (Praising a male worker)
"We need two more people to man the registration desk at the event." (A request for volunteers)
"My man is making dinner tonight." (Referring to a husband or boyfriend)
"Man, I'm so tired after that long hike!" (An exclamation of fatigue)
"Every man for himself!" (An expression indicating a chaotic or every-person-for-themself situation)
10 Famous Quotes Using Man
"A man is but what he knows." – Francis Bacon
"Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is." – Albert Camus
"Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value." – Albert Einstein
"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good." – Samuel Johnson
"No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar." – Abraham Lincoln
"Man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated." – Ernest Hemingway
"The wise man does at once what the fool does finally." – Niccolò Machiavelli
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power." – Abraham Lincoln
"Man is free at the moment he wishes to be." – Voltaire
"A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything." – Malcolm X
Etymology
The word "man" is one of the oldest and most fundamental words in the English language, with very deep roots.
It comes directly from the Old English word mann.
This Old English word already had two main meanings:
"A human being" (male or female, referring to humanity in general).
"An adult male human being."
The broader sense of "human being" was actually the earlier and more general use in Old English. The specific "adult male" sense developed more strongly alongside it.
Mann itself traces back to Proto-Germanic (mannaz) and even further to an ancient Proto-Indo-European root (man- or mon-) that also referred to "man" or "human."
The first known use of "man" in English, with both meanings of "a human being" and "an adult male," dates back to before the 9th century (Old English period). Its fundamental nature means it has been a core part of the language's vocabulary for over a thousand years.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Man
Man of the hour: A person who is currently important or popular.
Man about town: A sociable and fashionable man who spends a lot of time at social events.
Man's best friend: A dog (referring to the human-dog bond).
Man up! (Informal command) To be brave or courageous; to face a challenge.
Man-to-man: Directly, frankly, and personally (especially between two men).
Old man: (Informal) One's father; an elderly man.
The common man: An ordinary person, not of high social status.
Every man for himself: A chaotic situation where individuals act only in their own self-interest.
To be one's own man: To be independent and make one's own decisions.
To separate the men from the boys: To distinguish the truly capable or mature from the less capable or immature.
Go play with yourself (said to a man): (Informal, dismissive) A rude way to tell someone to go away or stop bothering you. (Lesser-known, informal)
A person of integrity: Someone with strong moral principles. (Synonym for "a man of honor")
A cog in the machine: An individual who is part of a large organization and has little impact. (Can refer to a "man" as part of a system)
The working man: A person who earns a living through manual labor.
To staff the station: To provide people to operate a place. (Synonym for "to man the station")
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of man from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
