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

• machismo
• macho
• manhood
• manliness
• virility

Examples of masculinity in a Sentence

some men believe that wearing pink would undermine their masculinity

Recent Examples on the Web

The startling trends of men across a range of metrics serves as the cultural context into which Adolescence lets off a gendered bomb: a young boy angrily murders a female classmate who has questioned his masculinity. —Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025

Still, there was never any doubt that Mamet’s brand of spiky, sputtering American masculinity would, in different ways, fit Odenkirk, Culkin, and Burr. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2025

Any further exploration into the play's themes of toxic masculinity, morality, and corruption, however, have been largely left at the wayside in favor of watching these men work. —Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 1 Apr. 2025

The Tates rose to fame around 2021, as the elder brother, Andrew, became a popular figure on social media, known for his controversial takes on women, masculinity, the LGBTQ+ community, and other topics. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 27 Mar. 2025

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