fisherman

[ fish-er-muhn ]

noun

, plural fish·er·men.

1. a person who fishes, whether for profit or pleasure.
2. a ship used in fishing.

adjective

1. Also fisherman's. Knitting. of, relating to, or designating a knitting pattern consisting primarily of cable-stitches executed in a characteristically thick, traditionally off-white yarn, or a garment made in this pattern and yarn:

   a fisherman sweater.

fisherman

/ ˈfɪʃəmən /

noun

1. a person who fishes as a profession or for sport
2. a vessel used for fishing

Other Words From

• non·fish·er·man noun plural nonfishermen

Word History and Origins

Origin of fisherman¹

1400–50; late Middle English fissherman; fisher, -man

Example Sentences

For example, studies in the 1960s showed that fishermen tended to have warmer fingers than non-fishermen, but that again runs into the possibility that only people with good circulation can hack it in the profession.

From Outside Online

Even with a half-dozen other fishermen, there were two days when I never ran into another soul on the water.

From Washington Post

With one finger he proudly gestured to himself, as a fisherman might while posing with the big catch.

From Washington Post

For now, the commercial fishermen who rely on salmon and the outdoorsmen and women who hunt in the Bristol Bay region—or dream of making the trip someday—can rest a little easier.

From Popular-Science

This peaceful short film focuses on Wayan, a 90-year-old fisherman in Bali, Indonesia, who can no longer fish.

From Outside Online

I wonder about the local fisherman; could they file a class action suit?

From The Daily Beast

Find a fisherman to take you out on the water at dusk to watch the natural pyrotechnics at their bellowing best.

From The Daily Beast

He worked unstable jobs as a fisherman and a construction worker before he entered the piracy business.

From The Daily Beast

This fall, its rocket fire on Israel appears to have won greater freedom of movement for Gazan farmers and fisherman.

From The Daily Beast

Gemma Hardy is the orphaned daughter of a Scottish woman and an Icelandic fisherman.

From The Daily Beast

It is almost unnecessary to add, that the porter had his share well paid, and that the fisherman got the full value for his prize.

From Project Gutenberg

Inscription copied, Nov. 21, 1833, from a tombstone to a fisherman in Bathford churchyard.

From Project Gutenberg

The steward is a fisherman—a fisherman being very useful as a weather prophet.

From Project Gutenberg

At any rate, they petitioned Parliament for the removal of this too ardent fisherman, and he was sequestered accordingly.

From Project Gutenberg

Thereupon the fisherman rushed to save his cloak, and the fox bolted out at the unguarded door.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fisher
• trawler