Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

man-Friday

Noun

/ˌmænˈfraɪ.deɪ/

Definition

A man who is a dependable and loyal assistant, often used to refer to someone’s right-hand person, especially in a context where that person performs various tasks and serves multiple functions.

Examples

She relied on her man-Friday to handle all her affairs.
In the office, he became the man-Friday, ensuring everything ran smoothly.
The project manager described his intern as his man-Friday for the summer.

Meaning

The term originates from the character Friday in Daniel Defoe’s novel ‘Robinson Crusoe,’ who is a loyal companion to the protagonist. It signifies someone who is extremely reliable and versatile in helping or serving another person.