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.
Amparo Marroquín, a political-communications researcher at Central American University, told me that Bukele presented himself as a combination of influencer, telenovela leading man, and devout Catholic. Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025 The star, who turns 71 on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, became a silver screen heartthrob as the leading man of romance films like The Big Easy and Tough Enough, along with his memorable role as Lindsay Lohan’s father in The Parent Trap. Brendan Le, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025 Four of the hottest leading men out there will now be taken off the market to film these four movies over the next several years. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025 This is also thanks, of course, to his leading man, who barely breaks a sweat and usually has a low-key quip ready when needed. Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 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 18 Apr. 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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