What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rivermen
Example
The rivermen were busy unloading cargo from the barge. [rivermen: plural noun]
Example
He was born and raised in a small town of rivermen. [rivermen: plural noun]
waterman
Example
The waterman caught a large fish in the lake. [waterman: singular noun]
Example
She grew up in a family of watermen and learned to swim at a young age. [watermen: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Waterman is more commonly used than rivermen in everyday language, especially in the UK and Australia. Rivermen is less common and more region-specific to North America.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rivermen and waterman?
Both rivermen and waterman are informal words that are more commonly used in casual conversations or literature. However, waterman can be used in more formal contexts due to its gender-neutral nature and wider range of applications.
