gunman
UK: ˈɡʌnmən | US: ˈɡʌnmən
n. a man who uses a gun, especially to commit a crime
n. a person skilled in the use of firearms
The word "gunman" is a straightforward compound of "gun" (from Old Norse gunnr, meaning "war") and "man" (from Old English mann, meaning "person"). It emerged in the 19th century, reflecting societal concerns about armed individuals, particularly in contexts like crime or frontier violence. The term retains its literal meaning but often carries a negative connotation due to associations with criminal activity.
The bank robbery was carried out by a masked gunman.
Police are searching for the gunman who shot two people last night.
In Western movies, the gunman is often portrayed as a lone outlaw.
The security guard confronted the gunman but was disarmed.
Witnesses described the gunman as tall and wearing a black jacket.