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

“Sometimes I feel as if I changed from a boy to an old man overnight,” the narrator remarks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

“They can be a little kid, they can be an old man, I can’t stump you guys as far as casting you in the scene and that’s fun.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026

Over the course of the day, the boy gets to know his grandfather better, both as the old man he is now and the young boy he once was.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

“She says they need a doctor, Countess,” the old man said.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo

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Related Words

• dad
• father
• husband

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