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Definition of highwayman

highwayman

/ˈhaɪ.weɪ.mən/
high · way · man
Plural:highwaymen
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highwayman Lexical Profile

highwayman Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A man, typically on horseback, who held up and robbed travelers on public roads, especially in Britain from the 17th to the early 19th century.

Example

"The historical novel tells the story of a notorious highwayman who waylaid wealthy stagecoach passengers along the country roads."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for highwayman

Word Nuance & Usage

Historically, a 'highwayman' robbed travelers from horseback and was often romanticized in British folklore as a gentleman thief, whereas a 'footpad' committed robberies on foot and was considered a lower-class criminal.

• Nearby Words

hightail
hightop
highway
highwayman
hiilawe
hijab
hijack

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-17th century as a compound of 'highway' (a main public road) and 'man', arising during the era when mounted robbers frequently waylaid stagecoaches in Britain.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Highwayman. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/highwayman
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