man about town

American  

noun

1. a socially active, sophisticated man who frequents fashionable nightclubs, theaters, restaurants, etc.; playboy; boulevardier.

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man about town British  

noun

1. a fashionable sophisticate, esp one in a big city

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man about town Idioms  

1. A man who frequently attends fashionable social functions, as in Fred is quite the man about town these days. This expression, first recorded in 1734, uses town in the sense of “a sophisticated place” as opposed to rural settings.

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Etymology

Origin of man about town

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

He rose from humble pastoral beginnings to become a man about town in an industry where Black people weren’t afforded such prominent positions.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 16, 2023

Gwendolen also comes recommended by one of Nellie’s children, oldest son Niven, a James Bond-ish man about town.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 5, 2022

Nathaniel Parker Willis, the famous writer, editor of the weekly newspaper the Home Journal, and man about town, had taken Catherine into his home when she first separated from Forrest.

From Slate • May 27, 2022

There was a cameo by the Italian-born man about town who had introduced Donald J. Trump to a model named Melania Knauss, the future first lady.

From New York Times • May 7, 2022

Soon after my entrance, young man, attired in a dress-coat, a huge standing collar, and a high hat, introduced himself as "A. Damphool, Esq.," gentleman of leisure, and man about town.

From Doesticks, What He Says by Doesticks, Q. K. Philander