Hangman

Full definition of hangman

Noun

1. (countable) An executioner responsible for hanging criminals.
• 1606, William Shakespeare, , Act II Scene IIOne cried, "God bless us!" and "Amen" the other,As they had seen me with these hangman's hands.
2. (uncountable, games) A guessing game where one has to guess the word an opponent is thinking of by guessing one letter at a time, and involving the gradual drawing of a stick figure hanging from the gallows.

Derived terms

• cheat the hangman