marksman

[ mahrks-muhn ]

noun

, plural marks·men.

1. a person who is skilled in shooting at a mark; a person who shoots well.
2. Military.
   1. the lowest rating in rifle marksmanship, below that of sharpshooter and expert.
   2. a person who has achieved such a rating.

marksman

/ ˈmɑːksmən /

noun

1. a person skilled in shooting
2. a serviceman selected for his skill in shooting, esp for a minor engagement
3. a qualification awarded in certain armed services for skill in shooting

Gender Note

See -man.

Derived Forms

• ˈmarksmanˌship, noun
• ˈmarksˌwoman, noun:feminine

Other Words From

• marksman·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of marksman¹

First recorded in 1645–55; mark ¹ + 's ¹ + -man

Example Sentences

The police marksman is to appear on Channel 4's Shoot To Kill: Terror On The Tube after remaining anonymous since the killing.

From BBC

Mr Kaba’s family were in the courtroom to hear the police marksman’s evidence.

From BBC

A police marksman shot Chris Kaba dead believing "one or many" officers could be killed as the suspect attempted to escape at "any cost", a court has heard.

From BBC

A Metropolitan Police marksman may have been "angry, frustrated and annoyed" when he took the decision to shoot to kill Chris Kaba, a court has heard.

From BBC

A hero, an ace swashbuckler and an expert marksmen, no one ever wonders if Link is too delicate to save the magical kingdom of Hyrule.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• sharpshooter
• sniper