noun
Uncommon
goodman
GUUD-muhn
Goodman (noun) means an old-fashioned, polite term of address for a man, or a term for the male head of a household. Example: “The innkeeper greeted him, "Welcome, goodman, come warm yourself by the fire.”
noun
1
An old-fashioned, polite term of address for a man, or a term for the male head of a household.
"The innkeeper greeted him, "Welcome, goodman, come warm yourself by the fire.""
"Good morning to you, goodman, and how fares your harvest this year?"
"The goodman of the house sat at the head of the table."
How to use goodman
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn archaic, courteous way of addressing a man, or referring to the man of the house.
When to use it
Obsolete outside historical fiction and period drama.
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Word forms
- Plural
- goodmen
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The innkeeper greeted him, "Welcome, _____, come warm yourself by the fire."
Etymology
From Middle English godeman, formed from "good" and "man."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for goodman
See all rhymes for 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 It has largely been replaced by titles like "mister" or "sir."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.
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