countryman

American  

[kuhn-tree-muhn] / ˈkʌn tri mən /

noun

plural

countrymen

1. a native or inhabitant of one's own country.

   Synonyms:

   landsman, compatriot

   Antonyms:

   foreigner

2. a native or inhabitant of a particular region.

3. a person who lives in the country.

   Synonyms:

   peasant, farmer, rustic

4. an unsophisticated person, as one who lives in or comes from a rural area; rustic.

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countryman British  

/ ˈkʌntrɪmən /

noun

1. a person who lives in the country

2. a person from a particular country or from one's own country (esp in the phrase fellow countryman )

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Gender

Is countryman gender-neutral? See -man.

Other Word Forms

• countrywoman noun

Etymology

Origin of countryman

First recorded in 1275–1325, countryman is from Middle English contre man. See country, man

Example Sentences

Esa-Pekka Salonen leads the Philharmonic in a fresh study of his great countryman composer.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

The 24-year-old acknowledged, however, that his streak of good luck did not apply to everything in life, notably a board game against his countryman and super-G bronze medallist Marco Odermatt.

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

Dybala's future in Rome has been in question after the Argentina international's difficult first season under Gasperini, which has been marked by familiar injury problems and the rise of countryman Matias Soule.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

Though not one of the standout stars of Sir Alex Ferguson's reign, the legendary Scottish boss loved his fellow countryman for the understated way he went about his job.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026

I laugh at the ingenuity of my poor, trapped countryman.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez

Related Words

• compatriot