leading man

American  

[lee-ding] / ˈli dɪŋ /

noun

1. an actor who plays the principal male role in a motion picture or play.

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leading man British  

/ ˈliːdɪŋ /

noun

1. a man who plays the main part in a film, play, etc

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Other Word Forms

• leading lady noun

Etymology

Origin of leading man

First recorded in 1695–1705

Example Sentences

The result: Chalamet may be the focus of Oscar talk as the movie’s leading man, but it’s the people swirling around his character who send the propulsive drama about ambition into overdrive.

From The Wall Street Journal

And I think, for me as an artist, this will probably be the only time in my life where I get to play a leading lady and a leading man at the same time.

From Los Angeles Times

Taylor’s playfully and energetically animated group activities handsomely frame his leading man and woman, for whom he created postures.

From The Wall Street Journal

With good looks and lots of charm, he’s certainly leading man material.

From Los Angeles Times

That film proved a notable critical success on release and remains a career milestone for both director and leading man.

From The Wall Street Journal