Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who has served in the armed forces: An "ex-serviceman" is a man who was formerly a member of a military service, such as the army, navy, or air force, and is now discharged or retired.

Usage

• The term "ex-serviceman" specifically refers to a male former member of the armed forces. For a female former member, the term "ex-servicewoman" is used. The gender-neutral term "veteran" is more common in modern usage.
• It is typically used in formal, official, or historical contexts to refer to individuals who have completed their military service.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The charity provides support for ex-servicemen and their families.
  • He is an ex-serviceman who served in the navy for twenty years.

Advanced Usage

• "Ex-servicemen's association": An organization for former military personnel.
  • My grandfather is a member of the local ex-servicemen's association.

Variants and Related Words

• Veteran (n): A person who has served in the armed forces, especially during a war. This is the more common, modern, and gender-neutral term.
  • The hospital has a special ward for war veterans.
• Ex-servicewoman (n): A woman who has served in the armed forces.
  • The panel included several ex-servicewomen.
• Former serviceman (n): A synonym for ex-serviceman.
• Ex-military (adj/n): Pertaining to, or a person who is, former military personnel. (Note: Often used as an adjective).
  • He used his ex-military skills in his new security job.

Synonyms

• Veteran
• Former soldier/sailor/airman
• Retired serviceman

Notes on Usage

• The term "ex-serviceman" is considered somewhat dated. The word "veteran" is now the standard, preferred term in most English-speaking countries, as it is inclusive of all genders and service eras.
• Compound words like "ex-servicemen's club" or "ex-serviceman's pension" are formed from this base term but refer to things associated with ex-servicemen, not to the person himself.

Noun

1. a person who has served in the armed forces