old man

American  

noun

Informal.

1. a father, usually one's own.

   His old man's letting him have the car for the prom.

2. a husband.

   The office is giving my old man a retirement party.

3. a boyfriend or male lover, especially a male lover with whom one cohabits.

4. (sometimes initial capital letters) a person in a position of authority, especially an employer or a commanding officer.

   The Old Man has ordered an inspection for Saturday morning.

5. (used affectionately in addressing a man).

6. old Adam.

7. southernwood.

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old man British  

noun

1. an informal term for father husband

2. informal (sometimes capitals) a man in command, such as an employer, foreman, or captain of a ship

3. facetious an affectionate term used in addressing a man

4. another name for southernwood

5. informal

   1. an adult male kangaroo

   2. (as modifier) very large

6. Christianity the unregenerate aspect of human nature

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

old man

Generally speaking, I’m not a grouchy old man stuck in the past.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026

There’s a well-known scene from a 2001 episode of “SpongeBob SquarePants” in which a mob of fish mistakes a feeble old man for a bully and attacks him.

From Salon ● Jun. 30, 2026

His first novel, a nearly 400-page story of an old man who travels to a fictional Southern city where he mostly sits on a park bench, has broken every rule in publishing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026

Casemiro was hooked because a teenager was making him look like an old man.

From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026

Its hide hung loose upon its body, like that of an old man.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

Related Words

• dad
• father
• husband