manager
Americannoun
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a person who has control or direction of an institution, business, etc., or of a part, division, or phase of it.
- Synonyms:
- boss, supervisor, superintendent, executive, administrator
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a person who manages.
the manager of our track team.
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a person who controls and manipulates resources and expenditures, as of a household.
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British. (formerly) a theatrical producer.
noun
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a person who directs or manages an organization, industry, shop, etc
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a person who controls the business affairs of an actor, entertainer, etc
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a person who controls the training of a sportsman or team
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a person who has a talent for managing efficiently
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law a person appointed by a court to carry on a business during receivership
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(in Britain) a member of either House of Parliament appointed to arrange a matter in which both Houses are concerned
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a computer program that organizes a resource, such as a set of files or a database
Usage
What does manager mean? Manager most commonly refers to a person who supervises employees in a company or other organization. Managers are typically somewhere in the middle level of an organization—the term most commonly refers to a person who is a boss but also has a boss. Manager is the noun form of the verb manage, which has many meanings but commonly means to be in charge of or supervise employees. Example: After six years, I’ve finally been promoted to the position of manager.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of manager
Explanation
It makes sense that a manager is someone who "manages," or takes charge of something. A baseball team manager is in charge of running the team, while a business manager oversees finances, scheduling, and the everyday operation of the business. The probable origin of the word manager comes from the Latin manus, meaning "hand." A good manager provides the necessary "hand," guiding others. The Italian maneggiare means "to control," and was especially used with reference to training horses, a job for which certain managers you've worked for might be better suited. The word extends beyond human beings as well: the file manager on your computer is a program designed to organize data.
Vocabulary lists containing manager
Like A Boss: Words for the Person in Charge
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Because of Winn-Dixie
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Words for the World Series
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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.
See Examples For:
Caregivers “report depleting savings, taking on debt, paying bills late, even downsizing their homes in order to afford the cost of care,” said George Kueppers, senior research manager at the NAC.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
Recent reports have stated that new manager Jose Mourinho wants to keep all his big names at the club.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
Gabe Plotkin, the hedge-fund manager who lost investors billions during the GameStop mania, has filed for one.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
These are known as sell-side analysts, while an analyst working for an asset manager is known as a buy-side analyst.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
My aunt seemed to hate parting with those crisp bills she pulled from a special purse that George Bangs, the Pinkerton office manager, had supplied to cover expenses.
From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan
"If the goal is protecting giant sequoias, prescribed fire is an essential tool available to managers."
From Science Daily ● Jul. 26, 2026
It is the kind of attitude managers adore.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
Every wealthy family I’ve worked with employed investment managers, financial advisers or family-office professionals.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 25, 2026
He denied intentionally dodging taxes or breaking the law, testifying that he disliked handling tax and other financial matters, so he relied on office managers and accountants.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
They’re ravenous for “content,” as his publicists and managers say.
From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
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.
