man about town

noun

1. a socially active, sophisticated man who frequents fashionable nightclubs, theaters, restaurants, etc.; playboy; boulevardier.

man about town

noun

1. a fashionable sophisticate, esp one in a big city

Word History and Origins

Origin of man about town¹

First recorded in 1775–85

Idioms and Phrases

A man who frequently attends fashionable social functions, as in Fred is quite the man about town these days . This expression, first recorded in 1734, uses town in the sense of “a sophisticated place” as opposed to rural settings.

Example Sentences

“The Wohls really helped him a lot once Joselyn started dating him,” says a man-about-town who knows Parker well.

From The Daily Beast

He was a man-about-town, living, to all appearance, by his wits.

From Project Gutenberg

He scorned Joseph; and yet his desire, as a man-about-town, to keep Joseph's esteem, was in no way diminished!

From Project Gutenberg

Its proprietor was a jovial man-about-town, rather prone than averse to the society of police captains.

From Project Gutenberg

George, a man-about-town, would have stared at being called provincial, but a man cannot stare away his nature.

From Project Gutenberg

Evans was admirably suited with the rle of a dashing young man-about-town.

From Project Gutenberg