noun

hangman

HANG-man

Hangman (noun) means a person whose job is to execute people by hanging. Example: “The condemned man was led to the gallows by the hangman.”

noun

A person whose job is to execute people by hanging.

"The condemned man was led to the gallows by the hangman."

A word-guessing game where wrong guesses draw part of a hanging stick figure.

"The kids played hangman on the whiteboard during recess."

How to use hangman

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who carries out hangings, or the classic guessing game with the stick-figure drawing.

Common pairings

play hangman the hangman's noose

Word forms

hangmen plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The condemned man was led to the gallows by the _____.

Etymology

From "hang" + "man."

Frequently asked questions

What does “hangman” mean?

The word “hangman” means a person whose job is to execute people by hanging. In plain terms, someone who carries out hangings, or the classic guessing game with the stick-figure drawing.

How do you pronounce “hangman”?

“Hangman” is pronounced HANG-man (/ˈhæŋˌmæn/ in IPA).

How do you use “hangman” in a sentence?

Here is “hangman” used in a sentence: “The condemned man was led to the gallows by the hangman.”

What part of speech is “hangman”?

“Hangman” is a noun.

How many meanings does “hangman” have?

“Hangman” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person whose job is to execute people by hanging.