macho

[ mah-choh ]
See synonyms for macho on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. having or characterized by qualities considered manly, especially when manifested in an assertive, self-conscious, or dominating way.

  2. having a strong or exaggerated sense of power or the right to dominate.

noun,plural ma·chos.
  1. Also ma·cho·ism . assertive or aggressive manliness; machismo.

  2. an assertively virile, dominating, or domineering male.

Origin of macho

1
An Americanism first recorded in 1925–30; from Spanish: literally, “male,” from Latin masculus; see male, masculine

Other words from macho

  • an·ti·ma·cho, adjective
  • su·per·ma·cho, noun, plural su·per·ma·chos.
  • un·ma·cho, adjective

Words that may be confused with macho

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for macho

macho

/ (ˈmætʃəʊ) /


adjective
  1. denoting or exhibiting pride in characteristics believed to be typically masculine, such as physical strength, sexual appetite, etc

nounplural machos
  1. a man who displays such characteristics

Origin of macho

1
C20: from Spanish: male; see machismo

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for MACHO

MACHO

[ chō ]


  1. Short for massive astrophysical compact halo object.Any of various massive dark objects, such as a brown dwarf star, black hole, or large planet, found in a galactic halo. MACHOs are thought to make up at least a part of the dark matter that apparently pervades much of the universe.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for macho

macho

[ (mah-choh) ]


The often exaggerated, aggressive virility of a male: “Jim likes to wear a torn T-shirt and a black leather jacket when he rides his motorcycle. I guess he thinks it makes him look macho.” The original Spanish word means “male.”

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.