foreman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Formal and Occupational
Quick answer
What does “foreman” mean?
A skilled worker in charge of a group of other workers on a site or in a factory.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A skilled worker in charge of a group of other workers on a site or in a factory.
The leader or supervisor of a group, particularly in manual labour, construction, manufacturing, or a jury. Historically, the lead juror responsible for delivering the verdict.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in core meaning. Both use 'forewoman' for female supervisors, though 'foreperson' is a modern, gender-neutral alternative, especially in legal contexts (e.g., jury foreperson).
Connotations
Can carry a slightly dated, industrial or blue-collar connotation in both varieties, as modern workplaces often use 'supervisor', 'team lead', or 'crew chief'.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English in legal/jury contexts due to its prominence in media. Equally common in occupational contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “foreman” in a Sentence
foreman of [a crew/team/jury]foreman at/in/for [a company/site]foreman on [a project/site]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in operational reports or organisational charts, e.g., 'The foreman reports to the plant manager.'
Academic
Rare; appears in historical, sociological, or legal studies discussing labour or judicial systems.
Everyday
Used when discussing someone's job, e.g., 'My brother is a foreman on a building site.'
Technical
Standard term in construction, manufacturing, mining, and legal procedure documentation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “foreman”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “foreman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “foreman”
- Using 'foreman' for an office manager (incorrect).
- Using 'foremen' as the plural (correct) but sometimes misspelled as 'foremans'.
- Assuming it is only for male supervisors.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is historically male-gendered. 'Forewoman' or the modern, gender-neutral 'foreperson' (common for juries) are preferred when the gender is known to be female or unspecified.
A foreman typically has hands-on, direct supervision of manual workers on a specific site or shift. A manager often has a broader, more administrative role, possibly overseeing multiple teams or departments from an office.
No, it is specific to contexts involving physical labour, construction, manufacturing, or a jury. For office teams, terms like 'supervisor', 'team lead', or 'manager' are used.
The standard plural is 'foremen'. The gender-neutral plural for mixed or unknown groups can be 'forepersons' or simply 'supervisors'.
A skilled worker in charge of a group of other workers on a site or in a factory.
Foreman is usually formal and occupational in register.
Foreman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɔːmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɔːrmən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[The] foreman of the jury (set legal phrase)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the person who stands at the FOREfront, leading the workMEN.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS BEING AT THE FRONT (fore-). The leader is the one 'before' or 'in front of' the others.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'foreman' be LEAST appropriate?