marksman

[ mahrks-muhn ]
See synonyms for marksman on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural marks·men.
  1. a person who is skilled in shooting at a mark; a person who shoots well.

  2. Military.

    • the lowest rating in rifle marksmanship, below that of sharpshooter and expert.

    • a person who has achieved such a rating.

Origin of marksman

1
First recorded in 1645–55; mark1 + 's1 + -man

usage note For marksman

See -man.

Other words from marksman

  • marks·man·ship, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use marksman in a sentence

  • And in doing this the youth proved more of a conqueror than he had done by his excellent marksmanship.

    The Young Ranchers | Edward S. Ellis
  • Even with random marksmanship and growing panic, the brown men were still sheltered, and many shots went home.

    The Code of the Mountains | Charles Neville Buck
  • The interchange of broadsides then became very rapid; but the British marksmanship was poor, and few of their shot took effect.

  • Both vessels began preparing for a test of skillful marksmanship, and for that most interesting of all engagements—a naval duel.

British Dictionary definitions for marksman

marksman

/ (ˈmɑːksmən) /


nounplural -men
  1. a person skilled in shooting

  2. a serviceman selected for his skill in shooting, esp for a minor engagement

  1. a qualification awarded in certain armed services for skill in shooting

Derived forms of marksman

  • marksmanship, noun
  • markswoman, fem n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012