mensch

American  

[mench] / mɛntʃ /

noun

Informal.

menschen, plural mensches plural

1. a decent, upright, mature, and responsible person.

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• mensches
  plural
• menschen
  plural

Etymology

Origin of mensch

First recorded in 1910–15; from Yiddish mentsh “man, human being,” from Middle High German mensch ( German Mensch ), from Old High German mennisco, mannisco; see man, -ish ¹

Explanation

A mensch is a good person, someone you really like and admire. Your neighbor who offers you a ride to work every time he notices that you've missed your bus again is a mensch. If you have a trusted friend or a reliable co-worker you can always count on, an informal word that describes them both is mensch. You might vote for the political candidate who seems the most like a mensch, or name your very favorite teacher and add, "She's a real mensch." The word comes from Yiddish, in which it means "a person of integrity and honor," from the German Mensch, or "person."

Example Sentences

CEO Mensch told French parliamentarians this month that the company's best shot at independence is an eventual stock market flotation.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

“As long as we have adversaries that are threatening, we do need to have our own capabilities,” Mensch said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

"It's very useful in a military headquarters or when faced with tactical coordination questions on the battlefield," Mensch said.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

Mensch defended his company’s deals with the French military on sovereign grounds.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

All the Mensch will be glad to see you on your return.

From Adventures of Hans Sterk The South African Hunter and Pioneer by Drayson, A. W. (Alfred Wilks)