forman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, industrial, historical.
Quick answer
What does “forman” mean?
A supervisor or leader of a group of workers, particularly in manual or industrial labor.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A supervisor or leader of a group of workers, particularly in manual or industrial labor.
The term can refer to any person in charge of a team of workers, often implying hands-on leadership and responsibility for the group's output and safety.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar in both varieties, though more common in AmE in certain industrial contexts (e.g., construction, factory). In BrE, 'chargehand' or 'supervisor' might be more frequent in some modern settings.
Connotations
Slightly more blue-collar/industrial in AmE; can have historical or legal (jury foreman) connotations in BrE.
Frequency
Low to medium frequency in specific industrial or legal contexts. The standard spelling 'foreman' is significantly more common.
Grammar
How to Use “forman” in a Sentence
[BE] forman of [GROUP][APPOINT/SELECT] [OBJ] (as) formanVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “forman” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare in general business; specific to operations and manufacturing management.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or legal studies (e.g., 'the jury forman').
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation unless discussing specific workplaces.
Technical
Core term in construction, manufacturing, and legal procedure.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “forman”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “forman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “forman”
- Misspelling as 'foreman' (which is standard). Overusing in non-industrial contexts. Confusing with 'Forman' as a surname.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Foreman' is the standard modern spelling. 'Forman' is a recognized variant, often historical or used in proper names, but carries the same meaning.
Yes, though the term is grammatically masculine. In modern usage, 'supervisor' or the gender-neutral 'foreperson' (especially for a jury) is often preferred.
It can be a formal job title in industries like construction, manufacturing, and mining. It denotes a specific supervisory role.
Typically, a forman has risen from the trades and may still perform some hands-on work, but their primary responsibility is supervision and coordination of the team.
A supervisor or leader of a group of workers, particularly in manual or industrial labor.
Forman: 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 forman's word is law on the site.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: The FORM of the work is the responsibility of the FORM+MAN.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS HEIGHT (the forman is 'above' the workers).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'forman' LEAST likely to be used?