man-eater

[ man-ee-ter ]

noun

1. an animal, especially a tiger or lion, that eats or is said to eat human flesh.
2. man-eating shark.
3. a cannibal.
4. Slang. femme fatale.

man-eater

noun

1. an animal, such as a tiger, that has become accustomed to eating human flesh
2. any of various sharks that feed on human flesh, esp the great white shark ( Carcharodon carcharias )
3. a human cannibal
4. informal.
   a woman with many lovers

Word History and Origins

Origin of man-eater¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

On Glee, her fast-talking, show-tune-singing man-eater could barely hide her inner pain through her witty repartee.

From The Daily Beast

Brand sank, and again the giant man-eater writhed in agonized contortions and the sea showed masses of froth and dark blotches.

From Project Gutenberg

The legend of the man-eater may even have been told by those who killed the last of the pterodactyls.

From Project Gutenberg

Next follows in logical sequence his supreme negative act, he is a man-eater.

From Project Gutenberg

A stage driver once came upon the road who was called “the man eater.”

From Project Gutenberg

And this man-eater has left my soul unharmed—that he couldn't swallow!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• anthropophaginian
• anthropophagite
• anthropophagus
• people-eater