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

See Examples For:

man in the moon

Of all the patterns observed from the ghostly visage of Earth's full moon, many cultures' folklore identifies the shape of a so-called man in the moon.

From Salon ● Nov. 8, 2021

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

Hugo thought about his father’s favorite movie and wondered briefly if the man in the moon had to wear an eye patch after the rocket flew into his eye.

From "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick