What does gunman mean?
A gunman is a person who carries or uses a firearm to threaten, attack, or commit violence. In modern English, the word most often refers to an armed criminal or violent attacker, as in news reports about an “armed gunman” or an “alleged gunman.” It can also be used in historical, literary, and frontier settings for a person who is armed or highly skilled with a gun, although these uses are less common. The term is strongly associated with crime, shootings, and public danger, so it normally has a negative connotation even when the factual circumstances of an incident are still being investigated. Its construction is unusually transparent: “gunman” is simply a combination of “gun” and “man.” The standard plural is “gunmen,” and the related noun “gunmanship” can refer to skill in using firearms. Although the word is easy to understand, it is best used where the connection to firearm violence is genuinely relevant.
nounA gunman is a person who is armed with a gun and uses it to commit an attack, crime, or other act of violence. The word most often carries a strongly negative or criminal connotation.
- A person who is armed with a gun and uses it in a violent or criminal act.
- A person armed with or skilled in the use of a gun, especially in a historical or fictional frontier setting.
"Police issued a warning after the armed gunman was spotted near the station."
"The suspect allegedly fled after exchanging fire with the gunman."
"The western novel portrays its hero as a solitary gunman with a reputation for quick decisions."
The standard plural changes the final syllable from “-man” to “-men.”
"Police are searching for two gunmen believed to be responsible for the attack."
The word is strikingly literal: a gunman was, from the beginning, simply a “man with a gun,” and its meaning still centers on firearm violence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of gunman
“Gunman” is an English compound formed from “gun” and “man,” and it has been in use since the early 17th century. Its literal formation has remained stable: it denotes a man with a gun, especially one involved in shooting or violence. The word developed alongside other English formations based on “gun,” including “gunner,” “gunnery,” and “gunfire,” and its compound structure reflects the long-standing English practice of joining words to name people, agents, and instruments.
Related word forms
How gunman is actually used
In contemporary news and legal contexts, “gunman” usually implies an armed attacker or criminal. In historical, literary, or frontier contexts, it can be more neutral and may refer to a skilled fighter or marksman.
Easily confused with gunman
A gunman is someone who carries or uses a gun in a violent or criminal act, whereas a gunner is someone who operates, serves with, or is formally responsible for a gun or firearm.