man

/mæn/

Friendly

Word: Man

Part of Speech: Noun / Verb

Explanation:

1. As a Noun:

   • Basic Meaning: The word "man" typically refers to an adult male human. It can also be used more generally to refer to humans as a whole, although this usage has become less common due to more inclusive language preferences.
   • Examples:

2. Different Meanings:

   • Human Beings: "Man" can represent all people, not just males. For example, "Every man for himself" suggests that individuals must fend for themselves.
   • Game Piece: In games like chess, "man" can refer to a game piece, such as a pawn or knight. For example, "He moved his men strategically on the chess board."
   • Role in Relationships: It can refer to a significant male partner in a woman's life, such as a husband or boyfriend. For example, "She takes good care of her man."
   • Military Context: In military terms, "man" refers to a member of the armed forces. For example, "Two men stood sentry duty outside the building."

3. As a Verb:

   • The verb form means to provide workers for a task or to take charge of a job.
   • Examples:

Usage Instructions:

• When using "man" as a noun, it is typically used to refer to adult males. However, be mindful of context and use more inclusive language when referring to people in general.
• As a verb, it's often used in a work context, indicating assigning people to specific tasks or jobs.

Advanced Usage:

• In modern discussions about gender, "man" is often replaced with "humankind" or "people" to emphasize inclusivity. For instance, instead of saying "mankind," one might say "humankind."

Variants:

• Mankind: Refers to all human beings.
• Manly: Describes qualities associated with men, such as strength or courage.
• Manservant: A man employed to serve others.

Synonyms:

• For Adult Male: Male, gentleman, guy, fellow.
• For Humans in General: Humanity, people, humankind.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Every man for himself": A situation where individuals must rely on their own efforts.
• "Man up": A phrase encouraging someone to be brave or to face something difficult.

Conclusion:

The word "man" is versatile, used to describe adult males, humanity, roles in relationships, and responsibilities in work settings.

Academic

Verb

1. provide with workers
   • We cannot man all the desks
   • Students were manning the booths
2. take charge of a certain job; occupy a certain work place
   • Mr. Smith manned the reception desk in the morning

Noun

1. all of the living human inhabitants of the earth
   • all the world loves a lover
   • she always used `humankind' because `mankind' seemed to slight the women
2. game equipment consisting of an object used in playing certain board games
   • he taught me to set up the men on the chess board
   • he sacrificed a piece to get a strategic advantage
3. one of the British Isles in the Irish Sea
4. a male person who plays a significant role (husband or lover or boyfriend) in the life of a particular woman
   • she takes good care of her man
5. a manservant who acts as a personal attendant to his employer
   • Jeeves was Bertie Wooster's man
6. an adult male person who has a manly character (virile and courageous competent)
   • the army will make a man of you
7. a male subordinate
   • the chief stationed two men outside the building
   • he awaited word from his man in Havana
8. any living or extinct member of the family Hominidae characterized by superior intelligence, articulate speech, and erect carriage
9. the generic use of the word to refer to any human being
   • it was every man for himself
10. someone who serves in the armed forces; a member of a military force
    • two men stood sentry duty
11. an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
    • there were two women and six men on the bus

Synonyms

• world
• human race
• humanity
• humankind
• human beings
• humans
• mankind
• piece
• Man
• Isle of Man
• valet
• valet de chambre
• gentleman
• gentleman's gentleman
• homo
• human being
• human
• serviceman
• military man
• military personnel
• adult male