main man

noun

1
: best male friend
2
: a man whose character or work is most admired
3
: most significant or important person
also : chief sense 2

Examples of main man in a Sentence

He's still her main man. The team has many good players, but he is clearly the main man.
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.
In effect, Modi had gone from being America’s main man to playing third banana at China’s banquet. Bobby Ghosh, Time, 2 Sep. 2025 Yes, the franchise's main man, Keanu Reeves, shows up as well, but the action flick keeps its focus on de Armas' dancer/assassin as she's introduced into a dangerous landscape and then goes rogue on a revenge mission. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 July 2025 Mids were main men Lod and Joaquin Pereyra were instrumental in setting up each goal. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 2 June 2025 Strikers Sam Smith arrived in January for a club record £2million and has since established himself as Wrexham’s main man up front. Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for main man

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of main man was in 1953

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Main man.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/main%20man. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on main man

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!