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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

Noun Inflected Forms

• 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

Mary Howitt, in her poem, The Poor Man's Garden, has this verse:— "And here on Sabbath mornings The goodman comes to get His Sunday nosegay—Moss Rose bud, White Pink, and Mignonette."

From Old-Time Gardens Newly Set Forth by Earle, Alice Morse

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 know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 

From Rome, Turkey, and Jerusalem by Hoare, Edward

He begged her not to move, and asked if the goodman was at home.

From Sophia A Romance by Weyman, Stanley John

Related Words

• head of the house
• householder