mensch

American  

[mench] / mɛntʃ /

noun

Informal.

plural

menschen, mensches

1. a decent, upright, mature, and responsible person.

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Etymology

Origin of mensch

First recorded in 1910–15; from Yiddish mentsh “man, human being,” from Middle High German mensch ( German Mensch ), from Old High German mennisco, mannisco; see man, -ish ¹

Explanation

A mensch is a good person, someone you really like and admire. Your neighbor who offers you a ride to work every time he notices that you've missed your bus again is a mensch. If you have a trusted friend or a reliable co-worker you can always count on, an informal word that describes them both is mensch. You might vote for the political candidate who seems the most like a mensch, or name your very favorite teacher and add, "She's a real mensch." The word comes from Yiddish, in which it means "a person of integrity and honor," from the German Mensch, or "person."

Example Sentences

“He is the biggest mensch in the world,” said the writer-director Jenni Konner, who cast him in that memorable part in “Girls” in 2014 and then befriended him.

From New York Times • Jun. 20, 2023

Filmmaker, activist and all-around mensch Michael Moore may dress like he's in goblin mode, but is decidedly not.

From Salon • Dec. 25, 2022

My Justin, who will always be the face of the Dodgers, was a mensch, a real human being, who along with his wife, Kourtney, did marvelously caring services for the entire Los Angeles community.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2022

“You’ve gotta say something,” Paul’s grandfather tells him in an earlier scene, urging him to stand up to bullies and be a mensch to those who need it.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 26, 2022

“I don’t know, you sure you want to go? A good mensch like yourself ought to stick to something a bit more, dare I say, kosher.”

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros