countryman

[ kuhn-tree-muhn ]

noun

plural countrymen.

1. a native or inhabitant of one's own country.

   Synonyms: landsman, compatriot

   Antonyms: foreigner

2. a native or inhabitant of a particular region.
3. a person who lives in the country.

   Synonyms: peasant, farmer, rustic

4. an unsophisticated person, as one who lives in or comes from a rural area; rustic.

countryman

/ ˈkʌntrɪmən /

noun

1. a person who lives in the country
2. a person from a particular country or from one's own country (esp in the phrase fellow countryman )

Gender Note

Is countryman gender-neutral? See -man.

Derived Forms

• ˈcountryˌwoman, noun:feminine

Word History and Origins

Origin of countryman¹

First recorded in 1275–1325, countryman is from Middle English contre man. See country, man

Example Sentences

When they accepted the award, Montenegro named a dozen Venezuelan musicians in a rhymed speech and urged his countrymen to keep their heads up.

From Los Angeles Times

Two days into his campaign, Carney posted a video encouraging his countrymen to "buy Canadian wherever you can" as he examined locally-made maple syrup, potatoes and jam during a visit to a farm market.

From BBC

He embarrassed the more genteel of his countrymen by bragging about his Open victories in the presence of Vardon.

From Los Angeles Times

Yamamoto doesn’t have the physical frame of his two countrymen on his team.

From Los Angeles Times

Gloucester-born Sherratt is looking forward to plotting the downfall of his fellow countrymen, who could still be in contention for the Six Nations title when they take the field in the Welsh capital.

From BBC

Related Words

• compatriot