leading man

English

Noun

leading man (plural leading men)

1. A man who does or can play the lead role in a movie, play or other production; a person who frequently plays such roles.
   • 2023 October 29, Zoe Williams, “‘An ironic, self-deprecating metrosexual’: how Matthew Perry captured the spirit of the age”, in The Guardian‎^[1], →ISSN:

     He was never intended as the leading man. He and Monica were never story-arced to get married.

2. The type of conventionally handsome and approachable man who is perceived as being capable of playing male lead roles in movies or other productions.

Coordinate terms

• leading lady
• leading woman

See also

• sidekick