chairman

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'chairman' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person, usually a man, who is elected to preside over a meeting or organization. For example: "At the company's annual board meeting, the Chairman delivered a speech to all of the shareholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The former defender, who played for Tottenham and Arsenal in the capital, has been courted by the party and recently had lunch with the party chairman, Grant Shapps, amid suggestions he could run for mayor.

The Guardian - Sport

Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, made clear that Zawahri remained high on the U.S. list of hunted militants.

The Guardian

The two were named winner of the £690,000 (8m kronor or $1.11m) prize by the chairman of the Nobel committee - Norway's former prime minister Thorbjoern Jagland - on Friday morning.

The Guardian

But soon afterwards he joined the Spanish-based international brand consultancy Saffron, started by a Wolff Olins alumnus, Jacob Benbunan, as a hands-on chairman.

The Guardian

APY's chairman, Bernard Singer, labelled the legislation "draconian" and said there was no evidence of poor governance or fund misuse at the APY.

The Guardian

Neither will Ben Bernanke, the current chairman of the Fed, whose term ends in January and who earlier pleaded a dubious "scheduling conflict".

The Guardian - Opinion

In July they volunteered to accept 21% but Jean-Claude Juncker, eurogroup chairman, now says: "We have agreed that we have to have a significant increase in the banks' contribution".

The Guardian - Business

In a particular blow to Mitch McConnell, the Republican majority leader, and Richard Burr, the intelligence committee chairman, the Senate rejected a series of amendments that were designed to weaken the surveillance and transparency reforms contained in the USA Freedom Act.

The Guardian

Scott Morrison's response to the exposure of asylum seekers' details on the immigration department's website was a "horrible mistake" that had made the situation worse, the chairman of the Australian Privacy Foundation says.

The Guardian

As the chairman of a well-regarded arts organisation that lost its state funding in the past 12 months, the musician understands where the money is coming from: state cuts in the arts.

The Guardian - Music

The five cases already opened against individuals as a result of Garcia's investigation will presumably be picked up by an acting chairman who will be appointed by the executive committee at Thursday's meeting, most likely his deputy Cornel Borbély.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the term "chairman", consider the context and audience. In environments that prioritize gender-neutral language, opt for "chairperson" or another inclusive alternative.

Common error

Avoid using "chairman" in contexts where inclusivity is important. Using "chairperson" or another gender-neutral term prevents potential exclusion or bias.

Linguistic Context

The word "chairman" functions primarily as a noun, denoting an individual who presides over a meeting, committee, or organization. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term is widely recognized and accepted in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "chairman" functions as a noun to describe the person presiding over a meeting or organization. While grammatically correct and very common, Ludwig AI suggests considering gender-neutral alternatives like "chairperson" in modern contexts that value inclusivity. Its usage is prevalent in news, business, and formal settings. While authoritative sources frequently employ the term, awareness of evolving language norms is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Chairperson

This term is a gender-neutral alternative to "chairman", suitable for inclusive language.

Chairwoman

This term specifically refers to a female presiding officer.

Presiding officer

This is a formal and neutral term that describes the person who leads a meeting or organization.

Head of the board

This phrase emphasizes the leadership role within a board of directors.

President

This term is often used interchangeably with "chairman", especially in organizations.

Convener

This term refers to someone who calls people together for a meeting.

Foreperson

This is another gender-neutral alternative, though less commonly used than "chairperson".

Moderator

This term emphasizes the role of someone who guides discussions.

Speaker

This term refers to someone who is primarily responsible for public speaking and addressing the people.

Leader

This is a general term referring to someone who guides or directs a group or organization.

FAQs

What's the difference between "chairman", "chairwoman", and "chairperson"?

"Chairman" traditionally refers to a male presiding officer. "Chairwoman" refers to a female presiding officer. "Chairperson" is a gender-neutral term applicable to any presiding officer, regardless of gender.

When should I use "chairperson" instead of "chairman"?

Use "chairperson" when you want to use gender-neutral language or when the gender of the presiding officer is unknown or irrelevant.

What are some synonyms for "chairman" in a formal setting?

In a formal setting, you can use synonyms like "presiding officer", "head of the board", or "president" depending on the specific context.

Is it offensive to use "chairman"?

While not inherently offensive, using "chairman" in contexts where gender-neutral language is preferred can be perceived as outdated or exclusionary. It's best to consider your audience and the organization's policies regarding inclusive language.