-man — English Dictionary

Suffix

1. Someone (possibly implied male) who is an expert in an area or who takes part in an activity.

   Usage

   • morpheme

   Examples

   horse + -man → horseman

   sports + -man → sportsman

2. Someone (possibly implied male) who is employed or holds a position in an area.

   Usage

   • morpheme

   Examples

   law + -man → lawman

   news + -man → newsman

3. Someone (possibly implied male) who has special characteristics relating to a topic or area.

   Usage

   • morpheme

   Examples

   free + -man → freeman

   ice + -man → iceman

   More examples (1)

   super + -man → superman

4. Someone (possibly implied male) who has a particular nationality.

   Usage

   • morpheme

   Examples

   Scots + -man → Scotsman

   Dutch + -man → Dutchman

   More examples (2)

   China + -man → Chinaman

   Yorkshire + -man → Yorkshireman

5. A man whose name begins with the preceding letter.

   Usage

   • morpheme

   Broader terms

   -person

   Examples

   H + -man → H-man (“man whose name starts with H, e.g. Harry”)

   J + -man → J-man (“man whose name starts with an J”)

6. A ship which has special characteristics relating to a trade or area.

   Usage

   • morpheme

   Examples

   Guinea + -man → Guineaman (“ship of the West African slave trade”)

   East India + -man → East Indiaman

   More examples (3)

   merchant + -man → merchantman

   Greenland + -man → Greenlandman (“a whaling ship”)

   China + -man → Chinaman (“sailing ship engaged in the Old China Trade”)