masculinity

noun

mas·​cu·​lin·​i·​ty ˌma-skyə-ˈli-nə-tē 

: the quality or nature of the male sex : the quality, state, or degree of being masculine or manly

challenging traditional notions about masculinity and femininity

… a style which alternates between a polished grace and blunt masculinity.

—Stuart Keate

The man controlling his environment is today the prevailing American image of masculinity.

—Susan Faludi

Synonyms of masculinity

• maleness
• manhood
• manliness
• virility
• machismo

Examples of masculinity in a Sentence

some men believe that wearing pink would undermine their masculinity

Recent Examples on the Web

Related Stories Buechele, a comedian, writer and composer, posts satirical videos about culture, politics, masculinity and the internet. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026

This generation of young men seems to be searching for the same things in their lives underneath the surface of the masculinity debate. —Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026

But, as the series’ writer, Gadd doesn’t deliver much in the way of fresh insight about troubled masculinity. —Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026

That’s an angle that’s not necessarily specifically to do with the manosphere or masculinity, but beyond that, deeper than that, the need to connect with each other. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing masculinity

• hyper-masculinity

Rhymes for masculinity

• alkalinity
• consanguinity
• crystallinity
• femininity
• affinity
• divinity
• infinity
• salinity
• vicinity
• virginity

Medical Definition

masculinity

noun

mas·​cu·​lin·​i·​ty ˌmas-kyə-ˈlin-ət-ē 

plural masculinities

: the quality, state, or degree of being masculine

measurement of masculinity or femininity

—Psychological Abstracts