the master of a household; husband.
(initial capital letter) a title of respect used for a man below the rank of gentleman, especially a farmer or yeoman.
a husband
a man not of gentle birth: used as a title
a master of a household
Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; see origin at good, -man
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Both Manuel Quezon and goodman Osme�a were mum last week.
From Time Magazine Archive
Not I, ma'am, if I had it to ask for, as your goodman has.
From Ovington's Bank by Weyman, Stanley J.
There, blocking up the doorway of the latticed and green-painted tenement, was the figure of goodman Matthew; and the little bandy-legged pippin-faced gardener was coolly resting on his spade while he addressed his master within.
From Judith Shakespeare Her love affairs and other adventures by Black, William
Indeed, Prudence, I have seen no ghost, and goodman Wizard has failed me utterly; nor sprite nor phantom has been near me.
From Judith Shakespeare Her love affairs and other adventures by Black, William
"But at any rate you will sup with us," said the goodman.
From The Works of Honor? de Balzac About Catherine de' Medici, Seraphita and Other Stories by Balzac, Honor? de
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
