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

Malala has a personal history with the Taliban across the border in Pakistan, after a gunman from the hardline Islamist group shot her as she sat on a school bus.

From BBC

Thomas Waring, then 20, was in the dock alongside gunman Connor Chapman and was convicted of assisting an offender and possession of a firearm in July 2023.

From BBC

The murder of Samuel Paty, 47, shocked France and came five years after militant Islamist gunmen murdered 12 people at the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo which published the original cartoons.

From BBC

The group was responsible for the 7 October 2023 attacks, which saw hundreds of gunmen enter southern Israel.

From BBC

On Saturday, 10 people were killed and 13 wounded when a gunman opened fire at a bar in Queretaro state.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assassin
• hit man
• hit woman
• sniper