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• goodman
  goodman

  noun

  the master of a household; husband.
• Goodman
  Goodman

  noun

  Benjamin David Benny, 1909–86, U.S. jazz clarinetist and bandleader.

goodman

¹ American  

[good-muhn] / ˈgʊd mən /

noun

Archaic.

goodmen plural

1. the master of a household; husband.

2. (initial capital letter) a title of respect used for a man below the rank of gentleman, especially a farmer or yeoman.

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Goodman ² American  

[good-muhn] / ˈgʊd mən /

noun

1. Benjamin David Benny, 1909–86, U.S. jazz clarinetist and bandleader.

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goodman ¹ British  

/ ˈɡʊdmən /

noun

1. a husband

2. a man not of gentle birth: used as a title

3. a master of a household

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Goodman ² British  

/ ˈɡʊdmən /

noun

1. Benny, full name Benjamin David Goodman. 1909–86, US jazz clarinetist and bandleader, whose treatment of popular songs created the jazz idiom known as swing

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• goodmen
  plural

Etymology

Origin of goodman

Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; see origin at good, -man

Example Sentences

Both Manuel Quezon and goodman Osme�a were mum last week.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then the goodman saw that he had done his work, and felt he ought to keep a workman who was so strong.

From Tales from the Fjeld A Second Series of Popular Tales by Asbj?rnsen, P. Chr.

And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith my time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.

From Walks and Words of Jesus A Paragraph Harmony of the Four Evangelists by Olmsted, M. N.

Bell, my wife, she loves not strife, Yet she will lead me if she can; And oft, to live a quiet life, I'm forced to yield, though I'm goodman.

From Rob of the Bowl, Vol. I (of 2) A Legend of St. Inigoe's by Kennedy, John P.

Not I, ma'am, if I had it to ask for, as your goodman has.

From Ovington's Bank by Weyman, Stanley J.

Related Words

• head of the house
• householder