wingman

American  

[wing-man] / ˈwɪŋˌmæn /

Or wing man

noun

1. Air Force. a pilot in a plane that flies just outside and behind the right wing of the leading aircraft in a flight formation, in order to provide protective support.

2. Slang.

   1. a man who helps, protects, or guides a friend or associate.

      the CEO’s troubleshooting wingman.

   2. a man who helps a friend with romantic relationships, especially one who helps the friend attract a woman.

      When I walked into the bar, my wingman was already there, talking to two women.

3. Sports. winger.

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wingman British  

/ ˈwɪŋmæn /

noun

1. a player in the wing position in Australian Rules

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Etymology

Origin of wingman

First recorded in 1940–45; wing + man

Example Sentences

One, called Wingman, detects incoming drones and the other, Pitbull, disrupts or jams the drone with what amounts to an electromagnetic arrow.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 13, 2025

A spokesman for BrewDog said: "We acknowledge the ASA's ruling on our recent Wingman advert and we are disappointed with the outcome, which we believe does not reflect the spirit or intent behind the campaign."

From BBC • Aug. 6, 2025

Many of the game’s guns that have been present since launch are changing, as the Wingman pistol suddenly takes sniper ammo, and the Spitfire machine gun uses light ammunition instead of heavy.

From The Verge • Aug. 4, 2022

A spokesperson for Wingman told Fox News Digital that the company’s founder, Tina Wilson, spotted the profile Beth made for Molly, and she felt moved to help the duo "accelerate" their search.

From Fox News • Jan. 11, 2022

"Where were you born, Wingman?" he asked the officer at the opposite end of the desk.

From The Ties That Bind by Miller, Walter M.