gunman

[ guhn-muhn ]

noun

, plural gun·men.

1. a person armed with or expert in the use of a gun, gin, gun, especially one ready to use a gun gin gun unlawfully.
2. a person who makes guns. gun.

gunman

/ ˈɡʌnmən /

noun

1. a man who is armed with a gun, esp unlawfully
2. a man who is skilled with a gun
3. a person who makes, repairs, or has expert knowledge of guns

Derived Forms

• ˈgunmanˌship, noun

Other Words From

• gunman·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gunman¹

First recorded in 1615–25; gun ¹ + -man

Example Sentences

Police found him shot to death in a homeless camp in 2021 and recently arrested one suspected gunman.

From Los Angeles Times

The prosecutor's case against the three men stems from 7 October 2023, when Hamas gunmen attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 others back to Gaza as hostages.

From BBC

At least 38 people - including women and children - have been killed after unidentified gunmen opened fire on a convoy of 200 passenger vehicles traveling through a remote area of Pakistan.

From BBC

The prosecutor's case against them stems from the events of 7 October 2023, when Hamas gunmen attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 others back to Gaza as hostages.

From BBC

The current war broke out after Hamas gunmen burst through the border and attacked Israeli communities, killing about 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies, and taking 253 into Gaza as hostages.

From BBC

Related Words

• assassin
• hit man
• hit woman
• sniper