men's

See also: mens

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mɛnz/

Noun

men's

1. possessive case of men: belonging to some or all male humans.
2. Ellipsis of men’s room: a lavatory intended for use by men.
   • 1898, The Hotel/Motor Hotel Monthly, Vol. 6, p. 27:

     A gents' toilet room might be found in a house that caters for the cheaper class of theatrical patronage, where the slangy language of the "goin' to the mat this aft?" style prevails. A gents toilet room is not found in the Southern Hotel. It either "men's" or "gentlemen's".

3. Ellipsis of men's department: an area selling clothing for adult males in a department store.

Usage notes

Distinguished from man's, which as a collective noun, refers to all mankind in every gender. Not to be used as a form of men, the simple plural.

Synonyms

• (facility for urination and defecation): See Thesaurus:bathroom

See also

• Appendix:Special uses of possessives in English

Adjective

men's (not comparable)

1. Intended for use by men.
   • 2017 September 27, David Browne, "Hugh Hefner, 'Playboy' Founder, Dead at 91," Rolling Stone

     The leading men's magazine of its age, Playboy helped bring explicit photography, embodied by its famous nude centerfolds, into the mainstream.

Synonyms

• gentlemen's, gents'; gents (UK)

Coordinate terms

• (all senses): women's, ladies'

Anagrams

• NEMS, nems