English

Alternative forms

• oldman (nonstandard)
• old-man (nonstandard)

Noun

old man ‎(plural old men)

1. An elderly man.
2. (slang) One's father.

   "He smacked me around some. Didn't everybody's old man?"

3. (slang) A husband, or significant other.
4. (slang, Military) Unit's Commanding Officer or the Commander of a naval vessel.
5. (Britain, dated) Term of address for a male friend.
   • 1934, P. G. Wodehouse, Right Ho, Jeeves

     “Don't mention it, old man,” I responded courteously.

   • 1958, H. E. Bates, The Darling Buds of May

     'Coming up, coming up, coming up,' Pop said. 'There you are, Charley, old man. Larkin Special. Don't ask what's in it. Don't stare at it. Don't think. Just drink it down. In ten minutes you'll feel perfick again.'

Usage notes

Except in sense 5, to use the phrase to the face of the person referred to would be considered disrespectful or insubordinate.

Synonyms

• (elderly man): elderly man; see also Wikisaurus:old man
• dad (2)
• boyfriend (3)
• old chap
• See also Wikisaurus:father

Translations

See also

• old lady
• old woman
• old chap

Anagrams

• almond
• dolman