What does groomsmen mean?
Groomsmen are the male attendants who accompany or assist a groom at a wedding. They are often close friends, relatives, or members of the groom's family, although the wedding party may also include colleagues or other chosen companions. Their responsibilities can include taking part in the ceremony, escorting the groom, helping organize or celebrate the occasion, and joining the reception festivities. The word is the plural of groomsman and is used in both British and American English. In contemporary weddings, groomsmen commonly have a less precisely defined role than the best man, who is traditionally responsible for supporting the groom and, in some ceremonies, giving a speech. The term is also associated with coordinated clothing, such as suits or matching outfits, and with pre-wedding gatherings. Unlike bridesmaids, who accompany the bride, groomsmen are associated with the groom and the male side of the wedding party.
nounThe plural of groomsman: men who attend or assist the groom at a wedding, especially as close friends or relatives. The term can also refer collectively to the groom's male attendants.
- Male attendants at a wedding who accompany or assist the groom, especially close friends or relatives chosen to stand with him.
"The groomsmen waited outside the church while the bride made her entrance."
"The bride asked the groomsmen to carry her bouquet down the aisle."
"At the rehearsal, the groomsmen practised their entrance and the speeches they would give at the reception."
The standard plural of groomsman is groomsmen; the singular form is used when referring to one male wedding attendant.
"Two of the groomsmen gave speeches at the reception."
Groomsmen are the groom's men: a small wedding party role with a surprisingly literal name.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of groomsmen
Groomsmen is the plural of groomsman, a compound formed from groom and man. The word developed in the context of weddings, with a groomsman serving as a male attendant or companion to the groom. Its -s- forms part of the compound groomsman, while groomsmen is the regular plural, corresponding to the historical form with -men. Related forms include bridegroom, in which groom retains its older sense of a man attended by a groomsman, and the more general groom, historically associated with an attendant or servant.
Related word forms
How groomsmen is actually used
Groomsmen is normally plural; the singular is groomsman. The role is common in British and American weddings, though the exact duties vary from formal ceremonial participation to simply being members of the wedding party.
Easily confused with groomsmen
A groomsman is the singular form, while groomsmen is the usual plural form.
Groomsmen attend the groom, whereas bridesmaids attend the bride.