masculinity

noun

mas·​cu·​lin·​i·​ty ˌma-skyə-ˈli-nə-tē How to pronounce masculinity (audio)
Synonyms of masculinitynext
: 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

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of masculinity in a Sentence

some men believe that wearing pink would undermine their masculinity
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.
Nothing is the epitome of cinematic achievement, alpha masculinity, and Britishness. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 29 July 2026 The Tates’ triumphant return to Miami functioned as something of a litmus test for conservative personalities, with some declaring that their brand of masculinity had no place in the party. — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026 The rhetoric resembles nothing more than the frothing tone of masculinity influencers in the online manosphere, with its strict but arbitrary standards for what makes a man a man. — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 Especially because Johnny Knoxville is sort of the peak of feral American masculinity. — Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for masculinity

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of masculinity was in 1613

Phrases Containing masculinity

Rhymes for masculinity

See All Rhymes for masculinity

Browse Nearby Words

masculinist
masculinity
masculinization
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Masculinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masculinity. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

masculinity

noun
mas·​cu·​lin·​i·​ty ˌmas-kyə-ˈlin-ət-ē How to pronounce masculinity (audio)
plural masculinities
: the quality, state, or degree of being masculine
measurement of masculinity or femininity—Psychological Abstracts

More from Merriam-Webster on masculinity

Nglish: Translation of masculinity for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All