mensch
Americannoun
plural
menschen, menschesEtymology
Origin of mensch
First recorded in 1910–15; from Yiddish mentsh “man, human being,” from Middle High German mensch ( German Mensch ), from Old High German mennisco, mannisco; man, -ish 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He is a true mensch and is an asset to be cherished by The Times as well as all of us who love high school sports.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 30, 2025
Filmmaker, activist and all-around mensch Michael Moore may dress like he's in goblin mode, but is decidedly not.
From Salon • Dec. 25, 2022
A fast, smart problem solver and a total mensch, Manny soon assumes greater responsibility and becomes a studio executive, a straighter trajectory than either Jack or Nellie’s hairpin roads.
From New York Times • Dec. 22, 2022
“You’ve gotta say something,” Paul’s grandfather tells him in an earlier scene, urging him to stand up to bullies and be a mensch to those who need it.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 26, 2022
This guy was really amazing; in addition to his tough mind, he was a real mensch.
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
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.
