What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
policeman
Example
The policeman stopped the car for speeding. [policeman: noun]
Example
He has been a policeman for over 10 years. [policeman: noun]
lawman
Example
The lawman arrested the suspect for robbery. [lawman: noun]
Example
He was known as a tough lawman who always got his man. [lawman: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Policeman is a more commonly used term than lawman in everyday language, especially in urban areas. Lawman is less common and has a historical connotation, often associated with the American Old West.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between policeman and lawman?
Both policeman and lawman are informal terms, but policeman is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as news reports and official documents, while lawman is more commonly used in informal contexts, such as novels and movies set in the Old West.
