man-eater

American  

[man-ee-ter] / ˈmænˌi tər /

noun

1. an animal, especially a tiger or lion, that eats or is said to eat human flesh.

2. man-eating shark.

3. a cannibal.

4. Slang. femme fatale.

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man-eater British  

noun

1. an animal, such as a tiger, that has become accustomed to eating human flesh

2. any of various sharks that feed on human flesh, esp the great white shark ( Carcharodon carcharias )

3. a human cannibal

4. informal a woman with many lovers

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Etymology

Origin of man-eater

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

Ajay jumped to his feet as if an enormous man-eater were about to pounce.

From Literature

But new guidelines aside, Indian officials and wildlife experts continue to use the term man-eater.

From Salon

There were undoubtedly elements of bigotry and chauvinism to much of the original Bennifer backlash — especially to the idea that Lopez was a controlling, spoiled “diva” and a compulsive man-eater.

From Los Angeles Times

To borrow a title from a 1980s hit not written by Billy Joel, I guess that makes each croc a man-eater.

From Washington Post

Despite the last reported attack taking place in the 1920s, the perception among both fishers and the public is of the shark as a man-eater.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• anthropophaginian
• anthropophagite
• anthropophagus
• people-eater