marksman

American  

[mahrks-muhn] / ˈmɑrks mən /

noun

plural

marksmen

1. a person who is skilled in shooting at a mark; a person who shoots well.

2. Military.

   1. the lowest rating in rifle marksmanship, below that of sharpshooter and expert.

   2. a person who has achieved such a rating.

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marksman British  

/ ˈmɑːksmən /

noun

1. a person skilled in shooting

2. a serviceman selected for his skill in shooting, esp for a minor engagement

3. a qualification awarded in certain armed services for skill in shooting

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Gender

See -man.

Other Word Forms

• marksmanship noun
• markswoman noun

Etymology

Origin of marksman

First recorded in 1645–55; mark ¹ + 's ¹ + -man

Example Sentences

The family of a man who was shot dead by a police marksman have said they are "devastated" misconduct proceedings against the officer have been paused.

From BBC

He is an expert marksman continuously trained in specialized breaching, perimeter control and hostage rescue skills, McLaughlin said.

From The Wall Street Journal

I also learned to be a good marksman.

From The Wall Street Journal

It means the top marksmen in the Premier League and La Liga will go head-to-head for the first time in international football.

From BBC

In this occasionally saccharine yet blithely comical piece of rich-people-problems autofiction, Clooney is the funniest he’s been in years, taking shots at himself and the life he’s chosen with a marksman’s aim.

From Salon

Related Words

• sharpshooter
• sniper