wingman

noun

wing·​man ˈwiŋ-mən 

-ˌman

1

a

: a pilot who flies behind and outside the leader of a flying formation

b

informal : a male friend or partner who accompanies and supports a man in some activity

While guys find large groups of women intimidating, they think just a few together is the most inviting. If you hang out with a couple of friends, a guy would be able to approach you with a couple of his friends (i.e., wingmen), which would take the pressure off.

—Cosmopolitan

2

: winger

Examples of wingman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Derek is the wingman this time, introducing his old co-worker in an effort to help Gaby get her groove back post-Jimmy. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2024

So Buck swallowed his sadness and offered to be Eddie’s real estate wingman. —Andy Swift, TVLine, 21 Nov. 2024

Former Gaetz wingman Joel Greenberg cooperated in a Justice Department investigation of Gaetz that hasn’t resulted in charges. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 19 Nov. 2024

Jahan Dotson, a 2022 first-round pick, went from being Terry McLaurin’s rookie wingman to sliding into a WR2 competition to now playing for the Eagles. —Dan Pompei, The Athletic, 26 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1a