wingman

/ˈwɪŋmæn/
noun
  1. A pilot who flies in a supporting position next to the lead aircraft in a military formation.
    • As a wingman, his job was to protect the lead plane from enemy attacks.
    • The wingman stayed close to the leader during the mission.
    • The squadron trained every day to improve coordination between the leader and the wingman.
  2. A friend who helps or supports another person, especially in social situations like meeting people or dating.
    • She asked her sister to be her wingman at the networking event.
    • A good wingman knows when to step in and when to give you space.
    • He brought his best friend along as a wingman to help him talk to new people at the party.
  3. A player in sports who supports a teammate, especially by creating scoring opportunities or providing backup.
    • In hockey, the wingman skated hard to support the center on the breakaway.
    • The point guard acted as a wingman for the star shooter, passing the ball at the right moment.
    • The coach praised the wingman for his unselfish play.
Antonyms