goodman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowArchaic, historical, dialectal (Scottish/Northern English)
Quick answer
What does “goodman” mean?
A male head of a household.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A male head of a household; the master of a house.
A familiar, archaic term for a man, especially a husband, or a man of property; also a title of respect for a man of lower social status, akin to 'Mister'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the term has historical and dialectal (particularly Scottish) resonance. In American English, it is almost exclusively a historical or literary term.
Connotations
British: Historical, rural, sometimes Scottish. American: Purely historical or found in historical fiction.
Frequency
Extremely rare in modern usage in both varieties, but marginally more likely to be encountered in British historical contexts or Scottish literature.
Grammar
How to Use “goodman” in a Sentence
Goodman + [Proper Name] (as a title: Goodman Higgins)The goodman + of + [Location/Household]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable in modern business.
Academic
Used in historical, literary, or sociological texts discussing medieval/early modern household structures.
Everyday
Not used in modern everyday conversation.
Technical
May appear in historical archaeology or genealogy as a title.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “goodman”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “goodman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “goodman”
- Using it as a modern compliment ('He's a real goodman').
- Assuming it is simply an old-fashioned way to say 'good man' rather than a specific social title.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic term. You will only encounter it in historical texts, literature, or discussions of historical social structures.
The female equivalent is 'goodwife', often abbreviated to 'goody' as in 'Goody Proctor' from 'The Crucible'.
Yes, the surname 'Goodman' derives from this term, originally denoting the master of a household. The title itself, however, was used with a first name (e.g., Goodman John).
'Goodman' was a title for a man of the common or middling sort, a householder. 'Gentleman' implied a higher social rank, often someone who did not need to work with his hands for a living.
A male head of a household.
Goodman is usually archaic, historical, dialectal (scottish/northern english) in register.
Goodman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡʊdmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡʊdmən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Goodman of his gear (Scots: master of his own possessions).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GOOD MAN who is the head of his GOOD household.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD IS THE MASTER (Goodman embodies the paternal authority and responsibility for a domestic unit).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'goodman' be most appropriately used today?