returned man: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (historical/archaic in its specific sense)Historical, formal, or literary; regionally specific (ANZ).
Quick answer
What does “returned man” mean?
A man who has come back to a place, often his home or country, especially after an absence (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A man who has come back to a place, often his home or country, especially after an absence (e.g., from travel, war, or work abroad).
Historically used to refer to soldiers returning from war, particularly in Australia and New Zealand after World War I, where it also came to denote a repatriated soldier who was often eligible for benefits or land grants.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Not a standard term in either variety for general use. In British historical context, might refer to a soldier returning from the front. In American English, this specific phrasing is very rare; 'veteran' or 'returning soldier' is preferred.
Connotations
In UK: potentially formal/literary. In US: unusual phrasing. In Australia/NZ: strong historical connotations of national identity and sacrifice.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Its usage is almost entirely confined to historical texts or discussions of Australian/New Zealand history.
Grammar
How to Use “returned man” in a Sentence
The [adjective] returned manA returned man from [place/conflict]Returned men were given [benefit].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “returned man” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The soldier returned, a changed man.
- He returned home a weary man.
American English
- The veteran returned a deeply affected man.
- He returned from overseas a successful man.
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable; 'returned' is not used as an adverb in this phrase]
American English
- [Not applicable; 'returned' is not used as an adverb in this phrase]
adjective
British English
- The returned soldier was offered counselling.
- A returned emigrant told his story.
American English
- The returned veteran accessed his benefits.
- A returned traveler shared his experiences.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
[Not applicable]
Academic
Used in historical studies, particularly of 20th-century Australia and New Zealand, discussing post-war settlement and social policy.
Everyday
Virtually never used in contemporary everyday speech.
Technical
[Not applicable]
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “returned man”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “returned man”
- Using it as a modern synonym for 'a man who returned a product'.
- Capitalizing it as a proper noun.
- Assuming it is a common compound like 'businessman'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic or historical phrase, primarily associated with early 20th-century contexts, especially in Australia and New Zealand.
No, that would be highly unusual and confusing. The phrase does not have that meaning. You would say 'the man who returned the item'.
'Veteran' is a broad term for an ex-serviceperson. 'Returned man' is more specific, emphasizing the act of coming back and often implying recent return and reintegration, particularly in a historical ANZ context.
Interpret it compositionally: a man who has returned. Be aware of the potential historical-cultural connotations if the text is about Australia, New Zealand, or World War I.
A man who has come back to a place, often his home or country, especially after an absence (e.
Returned man is usually historical, formal, or literary; regionally specific (anz). in register.
Returned man: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈtɜːnd ˈmæn/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈtɝːnd ˈmæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idiom for this phrase]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a man RETURNING from a long journey, his back turned (returned) towards his past adventures as he faces home.
Conceptual Metaphor
RETURN IS COMPLETION OF A CYCLE (The man completes the journey cycle).
Practice
Quiz
In which regional context does 'returned man' have a specific, historically loaded meaning?