leading man

noun

: an actor who plays the leading male role

Examples of leading man in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Nearly six decades since Dr. King’s dream, Black leading men are claiming more and more space in Hollywood. Adelle Platon, VIBE.com, 15 Apr. 2025 Is that a good indicator of how Rami is as a leading man? Truly. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025 This Is Us ended three years ago, but one of the show's leading men, Sterling K. Brown, is still warming hearts. Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025 What ensues can only be described as a Dewey Finn fever dream complete with a visit to the risers, a somersault, a marching band, and 66 percent of the Glengarry Glen Ross leading men looking on with heart-eyes. Devon Ivie, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for leading man

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of leading man was in 1827

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Cite this Entry

“Leading man.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leading%20man. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

leading man

noun
: an actor who plays the leading male role in a play or movie

More from Merriam-Webster on leading man

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