English Reference
Noun

swordsman

n.
B2 Upper Intermediate UK /sˈɔːdzmən/ swords·man

n.a person who is very skilled at using a sword. You use this word to describe someone who has practiced sword fighting for a long time.

n.a person who is highly skilled in the use of a sword, particularly in combat or sport. Often used in historical or martial arts contexts to describe a practitioner of the art.


SIMPLE

The swordsman moved with great speed and precision.

CONTEXTUAL

After years of training, the swordsman could defeat even the most experienced opponents in a single duel.

COMPLEX

The historical novel follows the journey of a young swordsman as he travels across the kingdom to master the ancient techniques of his ancestors.

One of the videos referenced a 2015 attack in which a masked swordsman killed a teaching assistant and two boys at a school in Trollhättan, western Sweden, before being shot dead by police.

The Guardian· 22 Aug 2026

From sword + -s- + man.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated