manager

American  

[man-i-jer] / ˈmæn ɪ dʒər /

noun

1. a person who has control or direction of an institution, business, etc., or of a part, division, or phase of it.

   Synonyms:

   boss, supervisor, superintendent, executive, administrator

2. a person who manages.

   the manager of our track team.

3. a person who controls and manipulates resources and expenditures, as of a household.

4. British. (formerly) a theatrical producer.

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manager British  

/ ˈmænɪdʒə /

noun

1. a person who directs or manages an organization, industry, shop, etc

2. a person who controls the business affairs of an actor, entertainer, etc

3. a person who controls the training of a sportsman or team

4. a person who has a talent for managing efficiently

5. law a person appointed by a court to carry on a business during receivership

6. (in Britain) a member of either House of Parliament appointed to arrange a matter in which both Houses are concerned

7. a computer program that organizes a resource, such as a set of files or a database

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Usage

What does manager mean? Manager most commonly refers to a person who supervises employees in a company or other organization. Managers are typically somewhere in the middle level of an organization—the term most commonly refers to a person who is a boss but also has a boss. Manager is the noun form of the verb manage, which has many meanings but commonly means to be in charge of or supervise employees. Example: After six years, I’ve finally been promoted to the position of manager.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• submanager
  noun
• submanagership
  noun
• managership
  noun
• undermanager
  noun

Etymology

Origin of manager

First recorded in 1580–90; manage + -er ¹

Explanation

It makes sense that a manager is someone who "manages," or takes charge of something. A baseball team manager is in charge of running the team, while a business manager oversees finances, scheduling, and the everyday operation of the business. The probable origin of the word manager comes from the Latin manus, meaning "hand." A good manager provides the necessary "hand," guiding others. The Italian maneggiare means "to control," and was especially used with reference to training horses, a job for which certain managers you've worked for might be better suited. The word extends beyond human beings as well: the file manager on your computer is a program designed to organize data.

Example Sentences

“It’s all about tech. It’s thankless to own the other sectors now,” said Jay Hatfield, chief executive officer and portfolio manager at Infrastructure Capital Advisors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

“I’m really excited about it. I think there’s a potential for this to be a game-changer,” said David Pedersen, the district’s general manager.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

"Southampton see Eckert as an excellent young manager," says Steve Grant, co-host of the Total Saints fan podcast.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

Rodolphe Callewaert, general manager at the Bulgari Hotel Paris, which opened in 2021 on the chic Avenue George V, said the distinction was a "great source of pride".

From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026

“I’m not working for him. I have an arrangement with him. He’s not my boss. He’s my manager and sponsor. It’s different. I’m no one’s grunt. You know that.”

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

Related Words

• administrator
• boss
• controller
• director
• executive
• officer
• official
• organizer
• producer
• superintendent
• supervisor