# spiderman

/ˈspaɪdɝmæn/ (US) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/spiderman
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a person who climbs high buildings or structures without using safety equipment. It is a casual name for someone who acts like the famous comic book hero.

For teachers: a person who scales the exterior of tall buildings or structures, typically without authorization or safety harnesses. Often used as a nickname or descriptive label for urban climbers.

## Examples

- The local spiderman climbed the skyscraper in under an hour.
- Police arrested the self-styled spiderman after he reached the roof of the city's tallest hotel.
- While some view the urban spiderman as a reckless thrill-seeker, others admire the physical discipline required to navigate sheer glass facades without any mechanical assistance.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a common noun in news reports to describe urban climbers; when referring to the fictional character, it is a proper noun and must be capitalized.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.