everyman
Everyman (noun) means an ordinary, average person, especially one used to represent people in general in a story or discussion. Example: “The film's hero is an everyman who stumbles into an extraordinary situation.”
How to use everyman
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA stand-in for the typical, ordinary person — not a hero or specialist, just an average guy.
Common in film and literary criticism.
Word forms
everymen plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film's hero is an _____ who stumbles into an extraordinary situation.
Etymology
Possibly traced back to the medieval morality play Everyman (English translation around 1520), whose main character represents all of humanity.
Rhymes for everyman
See all rhymes for everyman →Frequently asked questions
What does “everyman” mean?
The word “everyman” means an ordinary, average person, especially one used to represent people in general in a story or discussion. In plain terms, a stand-in for the typical, ordinary person — not a hero or specialist, just an average guy.
How do you pronounce “everyman”?
“Everyman” is pronounced EHV-ree-man (/ˈɛvɹiːˌmæn/ in IPA).
How do you use “everyman” in a sentence?
Here is “everyman” used in a sentence: “The film's hero is an everyman who stumbles into an extraordinary situation.”
What part of speech is “everyman”?
“Everyman” is a noun.
Where does the word “everyman” come from?
The word “everyman” dates back to around 1520. Possibly traced back to the medieval morality play Everyman (English translation around 1520), whose main character represents all of humanity.