chessman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, technical
Quick answer
What does “chessman” mean?
One of the pieces used in playing the game of chess (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
One of the pieces used in playing the game of chess (e.g., pawn, rook, knight, bishop, queen, king).
A term sometimes used figuratively to refer to a person who is a participant in a strategic plan or a "player" in a power struggle.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. 'Chess piece' is equally common in both varieties, possibly more so than 'chessman'.
Connotations
Slightly more old-fashioned or formal than 'chess piece'. Connotes the traditional, often ornate, physical objects.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties. 'Chess piece' is the more common and modern collocation.
Grammar
How to Use “chessman” in a Sentence
[Adj] chessmanchessman [made of N]chessman [from N (origin)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in metaphorical use: 'We are not mere chessmen in this merger negotiation.'
Academic
Used in historical or art historical contexts describing artifacts.
Everyday
Low. Most speakers would say 'chess piece'.
Technical
Standard term in chess literature, cataloguing, and collecting.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chessman”
- Using 'chessman' to refer to the player (*'He is a good chessman'*). Incorrect. Use 'chess player'.
- Using it as a mass noun (*'a set of chessman'*). Incorrect. Use plural 'chessmen'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no difference in meaning. 'Chess piece' is more common in contemporary usage, while 'chessman' can sound slightly more formal or old-fashioned.
Not directly. It refers only to the playing piece. However, it can be used metaphorically to describe a person being manipulated like a piece in a game.
The plural is 'chessmen'.
No, it is a low-frequency word. 'Chess piece' is far more common in everyday speech and writing.
One of the pieces used in playing the game of chess (e.
Chessman is usually formal, technical in register.
Chessman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃesmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃesˌmæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's just a pawn/chessman in their game.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CHESS + MAN. Think of a chess piece as a 'little man' on the board (like a 'pawn' which is also a word for a person).
Conceptual Metaphor
PEOPLE ARE PIECES IN A GAME (e.g., 'He was a mere chessman in their political strategy.').
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common synonym for 'chessman' in modern English?