hangman
B1Informal (game sense); Formal/Historical (executioner sense)
Definition
Meaning
A person whose job is to execute criminals by hanging.
A popular word-guessing game for two or more players, where one player thinks of a word and the other players try to guess it by suggesting letters, with each incorrect guess resulting in the drawing of a part of a stick figure being hanged.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word has a primary literal, historical meaning and a dominant modern, metaphorical meaning derived from the game. Use context to disambiguate.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The game is known by the same name in both varieties. The historical role existed in both cultures.
Connotations
The executioner sense carries the same grim connotation. The game is considered a harmless childhood pastime, though some modern sensitivity exists regarding its imagery.
Frequency
The game sense is far more frequent in contemporary usage for both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
We played hangmanHe was the hangmanThe hangman executed the prisonerVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Look like the hangman's breakfast (to look very ill or dishevelled, UK informal)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in historical or legal contexts regarding capital punishment.
Everyday
Overwhelmingly used to refer to the paper-and-pencil word game.
Technical
Can be used as a simple algorithm name in introductory programming tutorials (e.g., 'build a hangman game').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as a standard adjective.
American English
- Not applicable as a standard adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Let's play hangman to practise English words.
- The children drew a picture of the hangman's gallows in history class.
- We killed time on the journey by playing hangman.
- In the old days, the town hangman was a feared figure.
- Despite its macabre origins, hangman remains a popular and effective game for vocabulary practice.
- The condemned prisoner faced the hangman with surprising dignity.
- Some educators have proposed alternative versions of hangman to avoid the violent metaphor, such as 'snowman' or 'flower pot'.
- The role of the hangman was often shrouded in secrecy and social ostracism.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
The MAN who performs the HANGing is the HANGMAN. The game is named after him because you 'hang' a stick figure.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAILURE IS DEATH / GUESSING IS A RESCUE MISSION (In the game, each wrong letter brings the figure closer to execution; each correct letter 'saves' it.)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'виселица' (gallows) when referring to the game; the game is 'виселица' or 'балда'. The person is 'палач'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'hangmen' as the plural for the game (e.g., 'We played three hangmen' is incorrect; say 'three games of hangman').
Practice
Quiz
In modern, everyday English, the word 'hangman' most frequently refers to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
While traditionally seen as harmless, some modern educators and parents find its imagery of execution distasteful or triggering, leading to alternative versions with different themes.
For the person: hangmen. For the game, it is uncountable; you refer to 'games of hangman'.
No, 'hangman' is exclusively a noun. The verb is 'to hang'.
In some contexts, especially where the original name is avoided, it's called 'Guess the Word' or given themed names like 'Snowman' where a figure is built instead of hanged.