meatman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Low-FrequencyArchaic / Historical / Occupationally Specific
Quick answer
What does “meatman” mean?
A person whose trade is buying, selling, or handling meat, such as a butcher, slaughterer, or dealer.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person whose trade is buying, selling, or handling meat, such as a butcher, slaughterer, or dealer.
Primarily refers to a male person who works in the meat trade. It can also refer to a figurative supplier or purveyor of something, though this use is archaic or highly specialized (e.g., "a meatman of gossip").
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally rare and archaic in both dialects. In the US, it might be slightly more associated with historical contexts or the meatpacking industry. In the UK, it might evoke an older, traditional high-street trade.
Connotations
In both dialects, it can sound somewhat blunt or old-fashioned. Lacks the artisanal or skilled connotation sometimes associated with 'butcher'.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary corpora for both. Most commonly encountered in historical texts, fiction set in the past, or as a surname.
Grammar
How to Use “meatman” in a Sentence
[Determiner] + meatman + [prepositional phrase: for the market][Possessive] + meatmanVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meatman” in a Sentence
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 an adjective)
American English
- (Not applicable as an adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might appear in historical business ledgers or company names.
Academic
Very rare; possible in historical, sociological, or economic studies of trade.
Everyday
Virtually obsolete. An older generation might recall the term.
Technical
Not used in modern technical jargon. 'Abattoir worker', 'butchery operative' are preferred.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meatman”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “meatman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meatman”
- Using it in a modern context sounds odd. Misapplying it to a chef or cook. Confusing it with 'milkman' or 'iceman' in terms of modern delivery services.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in core meaning, but 'butcher' is the standard modern term. 'Meatman' is archaic and can imply a broader role in the meat trade, including wholesale or slaughtering.
Traditionally, no, as it is gender-specific. The modern, gender-neutral equivalent would be 'butcher' or 'meat worker'.
Structurally yes, but it never achieved the same level of common, enduring usage as 'milkman' or 'postman'. It remains a marginal occupational term.
For receptive purposes (reading/understanding) only, particularly for historical texts. For productive use (speaking/writing), always prefer 'butcher' or a more specific modern term.
A person whose trade is buying, selling, or handling meat, such as a butcher, slaughterer, or dealer.
Meatman is usually archaic / historical / occupationally specific in register.
Meatman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmiːtmæn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmiːtˌmæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To look like death warmed up (colloquial; not directly related to 'meatman' but thematically adjacent in grimness).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MAN whose job is MEAT – simple compound word.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOURCE/PROVIDER (He is the source from which meat comes).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'meatman' MOST likely to be found today?