goodman
noun
the master of a household; husband.
goodman
1 American
[good-muhn]
/ ˈgʊd mən /
noun
Archaic.
goodmen
plural
-
the master of a household; husband.
-
(initial capital letter) a title of respect used for a man below the rank of gentleman, especially a farmer or yeoman.
Goodman
2
American
[good-muhn]
/ ˈgʊd mən /
noun
goodman
1
British
/ ˈɡʊdmən /
noun
-
a husband
-
a man not of gentle birth: used as a title
-
a master of a household
Goodman
2
British
/ ˈɡʊdmən /
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of goodman
Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; see origin at good, -man
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:
Thousands suffered nightly because the goodman lingered abroad, or the son was absent, and in many a window the light was set at dusk to guide the master by the pool.
From Ovington's Bank by Weyman, Stanley J.
Indeed, Prudence, I have seen no ghost, and goodman Wizard has failed me utterly; nor sprite nor phantom has been near me.
From Judith Shakespeare Her love affairs and other adventures by Black, William
The woman, faint-hearted and overmastered by a nameless dread, cried out to the goodman to ride for life—the woods were full of devils.
From Nooks and Corners of the New England Coast by Drake, Samuel Adams
And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith my time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.
From Walks and Words of Jesus A Paragraph Harmony of the Four Evangelists by Olmsted, M. N.
Bell, my wife, she loves not strife, Yet she will lead me if she can; And oft, to live a quiet life, I'm forced to yield, though I'm goodman.
From Rob of the Bowl, Vol. I (of 2) A Legend of St. Inigoe's by Kennedy, John P.
Whitney Goodman, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Tampa, Fla., takes the patient’s lead when considering estrangement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
“Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman have long set the standard for luxury retail in the U.S., and we are committed to building upon that legacy.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
Over the years, Kingsley has expressed hurt over how his own mother, actor Anna Lyna Mary Goodman, never acknowledged his acting talent or childhood achievements.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026
But the founder’s son, Jonathan Goodman, began selling off non-mining divisions after he became CEO in 2018.
From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026
Goodman Cruff, coming to claim his daughter, had overheard.
From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare
Saw the Westmilne house, the goodmen wheirof ware Boswels.
From Publications of the Scottish History Society, Volume 36 Journals of Sir John Lauder Lord Fountainhall with His Observations on Public Affairs and Other Memoranda 1665-1676 by Fountainhall, John Lauder, Lord
But when they came to the gate of the Thorp, there were assembled the goodmen and swains to meet them with torches and wine in their honour.
From The Roots of the Mountains; Wherein Is Told Somewhat of the Lives of the Men of Burgdale by Morris, William
A strange old piece, goodmen — whirled about from here to yonder, as if I were nothing!
From Far from the Madding Crowd by Hardy, Thomas
So we scattered and covered ourselves with the oak-boles, but besides Iron-shield, who was slain outright, two goodmen were sorely hurt, to wit Bald-face, a man of our house, and Stonyford of the Lower Dale.
From The Roots of the Mountains; Wherein Is Told Somewhat of the Lives of the Men of Burgdale by Morris, William
Ho, Phyllis and Kate and bonny Nell Come hither, and buffet the goodmen well, An they gather not for hall and hearth, Fair bays to grace the evening mirth.
From In The Yule-Log Glow—Book 3 Christmas Poems from 'round the World by Morris, Harrison S. (Harrison Smith)
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.
