Definition

A man who hunts whales for their oil and other products.

Example

The whaleman set out to sea in search of the giant creatures.

Conversation

Have you ever read about a whaleman and his adventures at sea?

No, I haven't! What’s so interesting about them?

They had such dangerous jobs, hunting whales for oil and food.

That sounds intense! I can’t imagine living that life.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Whaleman is formed from "whale" (from Old English *hwæl*, meaning a large marine mammal) and "man" (from Old English *mann*, meaning a human being). The word refers to a person who hunts or works with whales.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'whale' as a large marine creature and 'man' as a human — a whaleman is someone who works with or hunts whales.

Visually Confused Words