goodman
4 synonyms for goodman, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An old-fashioned, polite term of address for a man, or a term for the male head of a household.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
head of household
Etymology
From Middle English godeman, formed from "good" and "man."
Full origin of goodman →Frequently asked questions
What does “goodman” mean?
The word “goodman” means an old-fashioned, polite term of address for a man, or a term for the male head of a household. In plain terms, an archaic, courteous way of addressing a man, or referring to the man of the house.
How do you pronounce “goodman”?
“Goodman” is pronounced GUUD-muhn (/ˈɡʊd.mən/ in IPA).
How do you use “goodman” in a sentence?
Here is “goodman” used in a sentence: “The innkeeper greeted him, "Welcome, goodman, come warm yourself by the fire.".”
What part of speech is “goodman”?
“Goodman” is a noun.
Where does the word “goodman” come from?
The word “goodman” comes from Middle English. From Middle English godeman, formed from "good" and "man.".
Is “goodman” a common word?
“Goodman” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between "goodman" and "goodwife"?
"Goodman" was an old-fashioned, polite term of address for a man or a term for the male head of a household, while "goodwife" was the parallel term used for a woman or the female head of a household. The two terms were traditionally paired to address married couples respectfully.
Is "goodman" still used in modern English?
"Goodman" is now considered old-fashioned and is rarely used in everyday modern speech, surviving mainly in historical texts, older literature, or as a surname. It has largely been replaced by titles like "mister" or "sir."
What did "goodman" originally signify about a person's role?
Historically, "goodman" referred to the male head of a household, marking his position of domestic authority, in addition to being a general polite way to address a man. It reflected both social courtesy and household status.
