wingman

• wing-man

From wing + -man.

• IPA^(key): /ˈwɪŋmæn/, enPR: wĭngʹmăn
• Hyphenation: wing‧man

wingman (plural wingmen)

1. A pilot partner of another; a pilot who flies in the same wing or squadron.

   Synonym: wingmate

2. (by extension) A friend who accompanies one to offer (or receive) support, especially in flirting with love interests.
3. (Australian rules football) A player positioned on the wing.

• wingmanship

wingman (third-person singular simple present wingmans, present participle wingmanning, simple past and past participle wingmanned)

1. To act as a wingman for (someone); to accompany in order to provide support.
   • 2014, Brian Conaghan, When Mr Dog Bites:

     So Amir wingmanned me to Boots on my Johnny-bags buying mission.

   • 2018, Elizabeth L. Brooks, Nights in Sandbridge:

     They wingmanned for each other, and if they didn't have any luck, they'd screw each other.

   • 2019, John Glynn, Out East: Memoir of a Montauk Summer:

     That night at the Mem, I wingmanned for Arthur. He was trying to hook up with a girl from the Meeting House, a share near the pond.

• mawning