man in the moon

American  

noun

1. a fancied semblance of a human face in the disk of the full moon, so perceived because of variations in the moon's topography.

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man in the moon British  

noun

1. the moon when considered to resemble the face of a man

2. (in folklore and nursery rhyme) a character dwelling in the moon

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Etymology

Origin of man in the moon

Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325

Example Sentences

The brightness difference between these two materials forms the familiar "man in the moon" face or "rabbit picking rice" image to the naked eye.

From Salon • Sep. 24, 2023

False rumors had started years earlier, many claiming that its logo, of a bearded man in the moon facing 13 stars, was actually a symbol of the devil.

From New York Times • Mar. 31, 2021

When I see a scowling man in the moon, or you see clouds that remind you of fluffy lambs, our brains are making the world a more diverse and beautiful place.

From Slate • Sep. 16, 2014

In addition to the ubiquitous man in the moon, many enduring legends around the world describe a rabbit or hare in the moon.

From The Wall Street Journal • Aug. 21, 2012

She had dreamed that the man in the moon had Edward Ashton’s face and followed her everywhere she went.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood