cave man
Americannoun
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a cave dweller, especially of the Stone Age.
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a man who behaves in a rough, primitive manner, especially toward women.
Etymology
Origin of cave man
First recorded in 1860–65
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.
Now, Arsenal is drawing unfavorable comparisons to the kings of anti-soccer and their cave man tactics—only this time, they’re at the opposite end of the table.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 26, 2025
It’s primal, going back to the cave man.
From Washington Post • Dec. 16, 2020
“The further back you go in history, the more cave man it becomes,” he said.
From New York Times • Aug. 1, 2020
A plucky cave man and the rest of his tribe face a grave threat when Lord Nooth plans to transform their land into a giant mine.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 9, 2019
The one invariable pattern persisting from the cave man dressed in furs to diplomat in striped pants, the only pattern possible while me-and-mine ascendant is the aim and goal.
From Eight Keys to Eden by Clifton, Mark
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.
