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goodman

1 American  
[good-muhn] / ˈgʊd mən /

noun

Archaic.

plural

goodmen

  1. the master of a household; husband.

  2. (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

  1. Benjamin David Benny, 1909–86, U.S. jazz clarinetist and bandleader.

goodman 1 British  
/ ˈɡʊdmən /

noun

  1. a husband

  2. a man not of gentle birth: used as a title

  3. a master of a household

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Goodman 2 British  
/ ˈɡʊdmən /

noun

  1. Benny, full name Benjamin David Goodman. 1909–86, US jazz clarinetist and bandleader, whose treatment of popular songs created the jazz idiom known as swing

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of goodman

Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; 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.

Both Manuel Quezon and goodman Osme�a were mum last week.

From Time Magazine Archive

One evening the goodman came home, at a late hour, full of wonderment.

From Popular Rhymes and Nursery Tales A Sequel to the Nursery Rhymes of England by Halliwell-Phillipps, J. O. (James Orchard)

Why, I tell thee I cannot have the garden left so empty; wouldst have me with none to talk with but goodman Matthew?

From Judith Shakespeare Her love affairs and other adventures by Black, William

"But at any rate you will sup with us," said the goodman.

From The Works of Honor? de Balzac About Catherine de' Medici, Seraphita and Other Stories by Balzac, Honor? de

Well, every man to his own taste; but, Betty, excuse my asking so personal a question, why do you always refer to your goodman here as "Nathan, puir falla"?'

From Betty Grier by Waugh, Joseph Laing

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.