Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

man-of-war

/ˌmæn.ə(v)ˈwoɹ/

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: 5.30 in modern English

Syllables: man-of-war
IPA: /ˌmæn.ə(v)ˈwoɹ/

16

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

3

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A man whose occupation is fighting in wars; a soldier, a warrior.

noun

A powerful armed naval vessel, primarily one armed with cannon and propelled by sails; a warship.

noun

A powerful armed naval vessel, primarily one armed with cannon and propelled by sails; a warship.

Obsolete

noun

Senses relating to animals.

noun

Senses relating to animals.

Archaic

noun

Senses relating to animals.

American usage

noun

Senses relating to animals.

Example Sentences

"The LORDE is the right man of warre, LORDE is his name. The charettes of Pharaor his power, hath he caſt in to the ſee."
"In an hour more, the whole house was awakened by a violent noise of howling, curses, and pots clattering to and fro. […] [T]he landlord was undermost, and the Ensign's arms were working up and down his face and body like the flaps of a paddle-wheel: the man of war had clearly the best of it."
""That's an honest fellow," said several of the dust-covered soldiers; and away scampered Ned Flynn, with all the men of war following close at his heels."
"[T]he distinguished man of war, and worshipful scholar, Master Bloxham, was now promoted to take the tolls, and catch all the rebels around our part."
"[W]e cannot be ſecure, vvhile ſuch huge Fleets of Men of VVar, both Spaniſh, French, Dutch, and Dunkirkeers, ſome of them laden vvith Ammunition, Men, Arms, and Armies, do daily ſail on our Seas, and confront the Kings Chambers; […]"
"In the lobby I spoke with Mr. George Montagu, and advised about a ship to carry my Lord Hinchingbroke and the rest of the young gentlemen to France, and they have resolved of going in a hired vessell from Rye, and not in a man of war."

Etymology

From Late Middle English man of wer, man of werre (“fighting man, soldier”). It has been suggested that sense 2 (“powerful armed naval vessel”) derives from the fact that such vessels were manned by men-of-war (“soldiers”; sense 1).

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: man of wer

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˌmæn.ə(v)ˈwoɹ/
British English: /ˌmæn.ə(v)ˈwɔː/

Usage

Inflected Forms

men-of-war (plural) man of war (alternative) man-o-war (alternative) man o' war (alternative) man-o'-war (alternative)

Phrases

man-of-war bird man-of-war fish man-of-war hawk man-o'-war suit Portuguese man-of-war

Synonyms

warcraft man-of-war warship bluebottle portuguese man-of-war jellyfish ship of the line

Rhymes With

for or your more before any more you're sure four war poor store

Questions

How do you pronounce man-of-war?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌmæn.ə(v)ˈwoɹ/.
What does man-of-war mean?: A man whose occupation is fighting in wars; a soldier, a warrior.
Where does man-of-war come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce man-of-war

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “man-of-war”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌmæn.ə(v)ˈwoɹ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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