hangman

American  

[hang-muhn, hang-man] / ˈhæŋ mən, ˈhæŋˌmæn /

noun

plural

hangmen

1. a person who hangs criminals who are condemned to death; public executioner.

2. a word game in which one player selects a word that the other player must guess by supplying each of its letters: for each incorrect guess a part of a stick figure of a man who has been hanged is drawn.

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hangman British  

/ ˈhæŋmən /

noun

1. an official who carries out a sentence of hanging on condemned criminals

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Other Word Forms

• underhangman noun

Etymology

Origin of hangman

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at hang, man

Example Sentences

When Merv Griffin created “Wheel of Fortune” in 1975 as television’s answer to hangman, it spent its early years on ratings life support.

From New York Times • Jun. 29, 2023

Even the widely despised Chun escaped the hangman.

From Washington Times • Apr. 10, 2023

Organizers tried getting students who might feel bashful online to at least try a game of hangman or charades.

From Washington Post • Apr. 23, 2021

A notebook and other items belonging to Britain's most famous hangman has sold at auction for £20,000.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2019

Actually it was a little bit like a stick figure, like in hangman, but with more details.

From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff