noun
strongman
Strongman (noun) means a person, especially a performer, known for feats of physical strength. Example: “The circus strongman lifted the car above his head to gasps from the crowd.”
noun
1
A person, especially a performer, known for feats of physical strength.
"The circus strongman lifted the car above his head to gasps from the crowd."
2
A ruler or leader who governs with force and little regard for democratic process.
"The country had been ruled by a military strongman for two decades."
How to use strongman
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a person famous for physical strength, or an authoritarian ruler who leads through force.
Common pairings
circus strongman
political strongman
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Word forms
- Plural
- strongmen
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The circus _____ lifted the car above his head to gasps from the crowd.
Etymology
A compound of strong and man.
Frequently asked questions
What does “strongman” mean?
The word “strongman” means a person, especially a performer, known for feats of physical strength. In plain terms, either a person famous for physical strength, or an authoritarian ruler who leads through force.
How do you use “strongman” in a sentence?
Here is “strongman” used in a sentence: “The circus strongman lifted the car above his head to gasps from the crowd.”
What part of speech is “strongman”?
“Strongman” is a noun.
How many meanings does “strongman” have?
“Strongman” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person, especially a performer, known for feats of physical strength.
