Everyman

[ ev-ree-man ]

noun

1. (italics) a 15th-century English morality play.
2. (usually lowercase) an ordinary person; the typical or average person.

pronoun

1. everybody; everyone.

Everyman

/ ˈɛvrɪˌmæn /

noun

1. a medieval English morality play in which the central figure represents mankind, whose earthly destiny is dramatized from the Christian viewpoint
2. often not capital the ordinary person; common man

Word History and Origins

Origin of Everyman¹

every + man

Example Sentences

Trump campaigns as if he’s an Everyman, but when he was in office he showed who he really looks out for — and it is not the American worker.

From Los Angeles Times

L.A.’s Latino community never forgot that chapter in the city’s history, but Valenzuela’s meteoric rise and everyman appeal proved hard to resist.

From Los Angeles Times

Let’s raise a glass to the cheapskate of the sky, the judge seemed to say—the everyman of the flying world, the great equalizer of the skies.

From Slate

The Money troupe discuss an everyman who struck it big and lost it all on Tesla options, the financial impact of America’s recent storms, and Felix’s impending sabbatical.

From Slate

If your perception of Seth Rogen begins and ends with his scruffy stoner/schlubby Everyman persona, you might be surprised to find out that the actor, producer, comedian and cannabis-brand entrepreneur is also an ashtray aesthete of the highest caliber and owner of a massive, museum-worthy collection of seriously stylish ashtrays from days gone by.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anybody
• everybody
• people