goodman

¹ American  

[good-muhn] / ˈgʊd mən /

noun

Archaic.

plural

goodmen

1. the master of a household; husband.

2. (initial capital letter) a title of respect used for a man below the rank of gentleman, especially a farmer or yeoman.

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Goodman ² American  

[good-muhn] / ˈgʊd mən /

noun

1. Benjamin David Benny, 1909–86, U.S. jazz clarinetist and bandleader.

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goodman ¹ British  

/ ˈɡʊdmən /

noun

1. a husband

2. a man not of gentle birth: used as a title

3. a master of a household

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Goodman ² British  

/ ˈɡʊdmən /

noun

1. Benny, full name Benjamin David Goodman. 1909–86, US jazz clarinetist and bandleader, whose treatment of popular songs created the jazz idiom known as swing

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Etymology

Origin of goodman

Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; see origin at good, -man

Example Sentences

Both Manuel Quezon and goodman Osme�a were mum last week.

From Time Magazine Archive

Upon my honor, this little goodman is very fractious.

From The Barber of Paris by Kock, Charles Paul de

Well, they wanted a labourer, and the goodman set him to pick up stones off the field.

From Tales from the Fjeld A Second Series of Popular Tales by Asbj?rnsen, P. Chr.

Mary Howitt, in her poem, The Poor Man's Garden, has this verse:— "And here on Sabbath mornings The goodman comes to get His Sunday nosegay—Moss Rose bud, White Pink, and Mignonette."

From Old-Time Gardens Newly Set Forth by Earle, Alice Morse

One evening the goodman came home, at a late hour, full of wonderment.

From Popular Rhymes and Nursery Tales A Sequel to the Nursery Rhymes of England by Halliwell-Phillipps, J. O. (James Orchard)

Related Words

• head of the house
• householder