fellowman
Rare / ArchaicFormal, Literary, Religious, Archaic
Definition
Meaning
Another human being considered as a member of the same community or society; one's neighbour.
Any other person, often with an implied sense of shared humanity, moral duty, or brotherhood.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word primarily functions as a singular noun ('fellow man'), though it is often used collectively ('one's fellow men'). It inherently carries a philosophical or ethical dimension, emphasizing a shared human condition and mutual responsibility. While technically two words, it is often hyphenated ('fellow-man') or written as one ('fellowman') as a fixed compound.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. In UK usage, the hyphenated form 'fellow-man' and the open compound 'fellow man' are more common. In US usage, the open compound 'fellow man' is predominant. Both consider the single-word form 'fellowman' archaic.
Connotations
Both varieties carry the same connotations of shared humanity, ethical duty, and sometimes a slightly old-fashioned or sermonic tone.
Frequency
Equally rare and formal in both dialects. More likely to be encountered in religious texts, philosophical discourse, or older literature than in contemporary speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
a sense of duty towards + fellowmanto show compassion for + fellowmanto treat + fellowman + with respectVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No specific idioms, but the concept is central to the Golden Rule: 'Do unto your fellowman as you would have them do unto you.'”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually unused. Replaced by 'colleague', 'peer', 'stakeholder', or 'customer'.
Academic
Used in philosophy, ethics, theology, and humanities to discuss concepts of altruism, social contract, and human solidarity.
Everyday
Extremely rare in casual conversation. Sounds formal, old-fashioned, or deliberately moralizing.
Technical
Not used in technical fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not used as a verb.
American English
- Not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not used as an adjective.
American English
- Not used as an adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He is kind to his fellowman.
- We should help our fellowman.
- True charity means caring for your fellowman without expecting anything in return.
- The story teaches us about love for our fellowmen.
- The philosopher argued that a just society is built upon a fundamental respect for one's fellowman.
- His actions demonstrated a profound disregard for the welfare of his fellow men.
- The novel's central theme explores the protagonist's moral awakening and his burgeoning sense of responsibility towards his fellowman.
- In his treatise on ethics, he posited that the duty to one's fellowman is the cornerstone of all civilised behaviour.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Fellow' as a friend or peer, and 'Man' as humankind. A 'fellowman' is a fellow member of the human race.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMANITY IS A FAMILY/BROTHERHOOD ('fellow' implying fellowship or brotherhood).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'товарищ' (comrade), which is politically loaded. Avoid 'собрат' as too poetic. The closest neutral equivalent is 'ближний' (as in 'любовь к ближнему'), but 'соплеменник' is incorrect as it implies shared ethnicity. 'Собрат по человечеству' is a calque but unnatural.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a plural noun (*'fellowmans'). Correct: 'fellow men'.
- Using it in informal contexts where 'people' or 'others' would be natural.
- Confusing it with 'fellow' meaning a man or boyfriend.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'fellowman' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most accurately written as two words ('fellow man') or hyphenated ('fellow-man'), especially in edited prose. The single-word form 'fellowman' is considered archaic or non-standard by most dictionaries.
Historically, 'man' in 'fellowman' was understood to mean 'humanity' (mankind). However, in modern inclusive language, it is often avoided for this reason. Terms like 'fellow human beings', 'others', or 'our neighbours' are preferred.
It would sound very formal, old-fashioned, or even pretentious. In everyday contexts, use simpler terms like 'other people', 'someone else', or 'others'.
The correct plural is 'fellow men' (e.g., 'our duty to our fellow men'). The form '*fellowmans' is incorrect.