wingman

noun

wing·​man ˈwiŋ-mən 

-ˌman

1

a

: a pilot who flies behind and outside the leader of a flying formation

b

informal : a male friend or partner who accompanies and supports a man in some activity

While guys find large groups of women intimidating, they think just a few together is the most inviting. If you hang out with a couple of friends, a guy would be able to approach you with a couple of his friends (i.e., wingmen), which would take the pressure off.

—Cosmopolitan

2

: winger

Examples of wingman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As the aircraft closed in, ​both crews attempted ​evasive action, ⁠but the wingman’s tail struck the lead jet’s wing, causing about 880 million won ($600,000) in damage. —CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026

While returning to his base after the training mission, the wingman suddenly banked his jet because two fellow pilots on the lead aircraft were trying to film him with their phones. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026

Finally, the large canopy has stirred speculation that the new aircraft will have a two-seat variant for high-workload missions, with the pilot acting as a mission commander for autonomous loyal wingman drones. —David Szondy april 21, New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026

Still, the part that hasn’t been discussed nearly enough, and which strengthens his case even more in this race, is that Gilgeous-Alexander did all of this while playing without his primary wingman, Jalen Williams, for more than half the season. —Josh Robbins, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for wingman

• dingman