Word
gunman
Phoneticsgun·man, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɡənmən/
UK/ɡˈʌnmən/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who uses a gun to commit a crime or attack people. This word is often used in news reports about shootings.
n. a person who uses a firearm to commit a crime or carry out an attack. Often used in journalistic contexts to describe an unidentified assailant.
Examples
“The gunman escaped before the police arrived.”
“Witnesses described the gunman as wearing a dark jacket and a mask during the robbery.”
“Security footage provided investigators with a clearer timeline of the events, though the gunman's identity remained obscured by the low light and heavy rain.”
Examples
simple
“The gunman escaped before the police arrived.”
contextual
“Witnesses described the gunman as wearing a dark jacket and a mask during the robbery.”
complex
“Security footage provided investigators with a clearer timeline of the events, though the gunman's identity remained obscured by the low light and heavy rain.”
Usage
Typically used in singular or plural form to refer to criminals or attackers rather than soldiers or police officers.
Real-World Examples
“A 16-year-old gunman has shot two students dead and injured eight others at a Philippine high school, before killing himself.” “In April, a 14-year-old pupil was killed next to a playground gate after a gunman opened fire.” Etymology
From gun + -man.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. lone gunman
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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