What does tribesmen mean?
Tribesmen is a plural noun meaning members of the same tribe. Its singular is tribesman, although in neutral or contemporary contexts “tribal member” or “member of the tribe” may be preferable, especially when generalizing about people whose present-day political and social structures are more complex than the word suggests. The term is established in both British and American English and appears in historical writing, literature, journalism, and accounts of communities described as tribal. Depending on context, it can carry a colonial or antiquated flavour, and descriptions of Indigenous peoples should follow the terminology those communities themselves use. Tribesmen does not itself imply warlike behaviour, although older adventure stories often paired the word with warriors, conflict, and chiefs. In modern discussion, it is most useful when naming a specific group and its organization with care. The word is also commonly encountered as a plural-only form, a grammatical feature that distinguishes it from the singular tribesman.
nounMembers belonging to the same tribe. The usual singular form is “tribesman.”
- Members belonging to the same tribe.
"The tribesmen gathered near the chief to discuss the dispute."
"Local tribesmen met the expedition near the mountain pass."
"The historical novel contrasts the authority of the chief with the growing influence of younger tribesmen."
The headword is plural; the corresponding singular is tribesman.
"Each group of tribesmen guarded its own section of the valley."
Tribesmen has a grammatical quirk: it is a plural word whose singular, tribesman, was formed in English from “tribe” and “man” during the 16th century.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tribesmen come from?
The element tribe comes through Old French tribu from Latin tribus, a term used for a class or division of people. In the 16th century, English formed tribesman by joining tribe, the pluralizing -s, and man; tribesmen developed as the usual plural form. Tribal, tribalism, and tribally also descend through later English formations from the same Latin family of words.
Related word forms
How tribesmen is actually used
The word is established in British and American English but can sound historical, colonial, or antiquated, particularly when applied to present-day Indigenous communities. “Tribal member” or “member of the tribe” may be preferable in neutral contexts. Because “tribesman” is explicitly masculine, inclusive alternatives are often more suitable when gender is not relevant.
Easily confused with tribesmen
Tradesmen are members of a trade or guild, whereas tribesmen belong to a tribe.