Read along with the three podcasts, or open the full dictionary entry for Serviceman for the definition, Arabic meaning, synonyms and example sentences.
Narrator: Today's word is "Serviceman" — noun, pronounced /ˈsɜːvɪsmən/, with the stress on "ser".
Narrator: A serviceman is a man who is a member of the armed forces.
Narrator: In plain English, it is a male soldier, sailor or airman.
Narrator: It joins service with man.
Narrator: A common collocation is "former serviceman", which describes a veteran.
Narrator: It differs from "soldier", because soldier means army, while serviceman covers army, navy and air force.
Narrator: In a second sense, "service personnel" is the neutral term for all members.
Narrator: The military, charities, history and government all rely on the word.
Narrator: So remember: a serviceman serves his country.
Speaker A: Who is the poppy appeal for?
Speaker B: SERVICEMEN and women! Service plus man.
Speaker A: Veterans too?
Speaker B: Especially veterans.
Speaker A: Example sentences?
Speaker B: "A serviceman was honoured for bravery", news. "Former servicemen marched on Sunday", Remembrance. "Housing support for servicemen", policy.
Speaker A: Common mistakes?
Speaker B: The plural is "servicemen", and use "service personnel" to include everyone.
Speaker A: Close relatives?
Speaker B: Soldier is its cousin, veteran its twin, and serviceperson an alternative — yet serviceman keeps its loyal charm!
Speaker B: Let's use "serviceman" in AI prompts — useful for charities and inclusive writing.
Speaker A: How for charities?
Speaker B: Appeals.
Prompt: Write a donation appeal supporting injured servicemen and women.
Speaker A: And inclusive writing?
Speaker B: Neutral terms.
Prompt: Replace servicemen with service personnel where women are also meant.
Speaker A: Could it help genealogy?
Speaker B: Yes, for records.
Prompt: Suggest where to find records for a Second World War serviceman.
Speaker A: One more?
Speaker B: Remembrance.
Prompt: Write a short, respectful Remembrance Sunday message honouring servicemen.
Serviceman — meaning in Arabic & definition More S courses GL Dictionary