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

• managership noun
• submanager noun
• submanagership 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

Their new manager, 33-year-old Blake Butera, is the youngest person to hold that job in MLB since 1972.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Lauren James is one of England's most talented footballers - but how can manager Sarina Wiegman get the best out of her?

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

The world’s largest asset manager reported $2.2 billion in net income, marking a 46% jump from the same period last year.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

As a Single-A manager, he was responsible for lugging a printer onto the team bus and restocking the ink so he could have scouting reports in the dugout.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

“I think he has some kind of narcissistic personality disorder,” said one money manager who heard Lippmann’s pitch but did not do his trade.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

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