man
An adult male human being as distinguished from a woman or a child. It can also refer to the human race as a whole, though this usage is becoming less common in modern gender-neutral language.
Examples
3 of 5The man is waiting at the bus stop.
The man is waiting at the bus stop.
The man presented his identification to the authorities.
The man presented his identification to the authorities.
Hey man, do you want to grab some coffee?
Hey man, do you want to grab some coffee?
Word Family
Memory Tip
Remember that 'mAn' is for one (singular), like the letter 'A' is the first single letter. 'mEn' is plural, like 'thEy'.
Quick Quiz
The tall ___ walked into the store.
Correct!
The correct answer is: man
Examples
The man is waiting at the bus stop.
everydayThe man is waiting at the bus stop.
The man presented his identification to the authorities.
formalThe man presented his identification to the authorities.
Hey man, do you want to grab some coffee?
informalHey man, do you want to grab some coffee?
The researchers studied the man's physiological response to the stimulus.
academicThe researchers studied the man's physiological response to the stimulus.
He is a man of his word when it comes to business deals.
businessHe is a man of his word when it comes to business deals.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
man to man
an honest conversation between two people
the man of the hour
the person who is currently the center of attention or being celebrated
be your own man
to be independent and make your own decisions
Often Confused With
Men is the plural form, while man is the singular form.
Male is a biological category (can be animal or human), while man specifically refers to an adult human.
Usage Notes
Use 'man' to refer to an adult male. In informal speech, 'man' is often used as a friendly form of address between friends, regardless of gender in some dialects.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is using 'mans' as a plural. The plural of 'man' is always 'men'.
Memory Tip
Remember that 'mAn' is for one (singular), like the letter 'A' is the first single letter. 'mEn' is plural, like 'thEy'.
Word Origin
Derived from Old English 'mann,' which originally meant 'human being' or 'person' regardless of gender.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
While 'man' traditionally referred to all of humanity, modern English often uses gender-neutral terms like 'people' or 'humankind' in formal contexts.
Quick Quiz
The tall ___ walked into the store.
Correct!
The correct answer is: man
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
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Related Words
unknown
A1A person or thing that is not known, recognized, or familiar. It often refers to a mysterious situation or a person who has not yet achieved fame or success.
of
A1A preposition used to show a relationship between a part and a whole, or to indicate belonging and origin. It connects a noun or pronoun to another part of the sentence to specify which one or what kind.
in
A1A preposition used to indicate position within a container, a space, an area, or a period of time. It describes being surrounded by something or being inside the boundaries of a location.
it
A1A third-person singular pronoun used to refer to an object, animal, or situation that has already been mentioned or is clear from context. It is also frequently used as a dummy subject to talk about time, weather, or distance.
on
A1A preposition used to indicate that something is in a position above and supported by a surface. It is also used to indicate a specific day or date, or to show that a device is functioning.
as
A1A conjunction used to compare two things that are equal in some way. It is most commonly used in the pattern 'as + adjective/adverb + as' to show similarity.
this
A1Used to identify a specific person, thing, or idea that is physically close to the speaker or has just been mentioned. It can also refer to the present time or a situation that is currently happening.
by
A1A preposition used to show the method or means of doing something, or to identify the person or thing that performs an action. It frequently appears in passive sentences to indicate the agent or before modes of transport.
we
A1The word 'we' is a first-person plural pronoun used to refer to the speaker and one or more other people collectively. It is used as the subject of a sentence or clause.
or
A1A coordinating conjunction used to connect two or more possibilities or alternatives. it indicates that only one of the options is likely, required, or true.
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