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

“It’s a simple question!” the old man yelled back.

From Slate ● Oct. 23, 2026

“He was playing a character that was like a very crotchety old man who hated everything,” Grossman said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

But he also didn’t want to die an old man on a rusted prison cot.

From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2026

“I’ve been thinking about what I want to say,” he sings, “But I’m an old man now — at least that’s what they tell me anyway.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026

Father is thirty-five years now, so he is an old man.

From "The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle" by Dan Gutman

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Related Words

• dad
• father
• husband

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