fisherman

American  

[fish-er-muhn] / ˈfɪʃ ər mən /

noun

fishermen plural

1. a person who fishes, whether for profit or pleasure.

2. a ship used in fishing.

---

adjective

1. Knitting. Also fisherman's of, relating to, or designating a knitting pattern consisting primarily of cable-stitches executed in a characteristically thick, traditionally off-white yarn, or a garment made in this pattern and yarn.

   a fisherman sweater.

fisherman British  

/ ˈfɪʃəmən /

noun

1. a person who fishes as a profession or for sport

2. a vessel used for fishing

---

Other Word Forms

• nonfisherman
  noun

Etymology

Origin of fisherman

1400–50; late Middle English fissherman; see fisher, -man

Example Sentences

"We'll end up disappearing," said Willy Ngepa, who has been a fisherman for more than 40 years in the DRC, one of the poorest countries in the world.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

Yet local fisherman in Kiribati will see a catch decrease under both high and low emission scenarios, according to the Pacific Community.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026

Another sighting and shark rescue occurred in April when a fisherman in Hermosa Beach freed a juvenile great white shark caught on a fishing line.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

Among them is his Oscar-shortlisted “The Deep,” the tale of an Icelandic fisherman who survived a 1984 shipwreck for six hours in 41-degrees-Fahrenheit ocean water, swam to shore and then walked barefoot over lava fields.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

“It’s a shame we haven’t seen her in so long. She was a right good fisherman, and a good girl, too.”

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn

Related Words

• fisher
• trawler