macho

1 of 2

adjective

ma·​cho ˈmä-(ˌ)chō How to pronounce macho (audio)
: characterized by machismo : aggressively virile

macho

2 of 2

noun

plural machos
1
: one who exhibits machismo
2

Examples of macho in a Sentence

Adjective the macho world of football Noun their annual guys-only hunting trip is a celebration of macho
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Like a Faustian figure, Kilmer’s Elvis plays to Clarence’s macho aspiration. Beatrice Loayza, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025 The latter is led by Scott Fischer (Gyllenhaal), a macho American mountain guide who climbed Everest's peak two years prior to the events of the film. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
And the ultra macho (and sometimes clueless) Rick Ford is having none of this. Mike Ryan, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025 Lots of macho blather follows about Sergei and Dmitri being soft and needing to become men. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for macho

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Spanish, literally, male, from Latin masculus — more at masculine

First Known Use

Adjective

1949, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1949, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of macho was in 1949

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Macho.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/macho. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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