manhood

[ man-hood ]

noun

1. the state or time of being a man or adult male person; male maturity.
2. traditional manly qualities.
3. maleness, as distinguished from femaleness.
4. virility; potency.
5. male genitalia.
6. men collectively.
7. the state of being human.

manhood

/ ˈmænhʊd /

noun

1. the state or quality of being a man or being manly
2. men collectively
3. archaic.
   the state of being human
4. informal.
   a euphemism for a man's genitalia

Other Words From

• pre·manhood noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of manhood¹

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; man, -hood

Example Sentences

Antonio Michael Woodard nails Emmett as an energetic, smart-alecky, endearing youth, a child on the threshold of young manhood.

From Washington Blade

Thus, Sam’s place with them is threatened more by his manhood than his transness.

From Vox

Whatever code of manhood Ted was raised under said you just didn’t talk about that kind of loss, no matter how much it tore you up inside.

From Vox

Was there a brief window where I relished it, where it proved something about the passage of teenager-hood to manhood?

From The Daily Beast

Indeed, one of the most fascinating aspects of the story is watching the male characters struggle with the meaning of manhood.

From The Daily Beast

At 16, when he was formally initiated into manhood, Mandela received yet another name: Dalibunga—“convenor of the Great Council.”

From The Daily Beast

Yes, he is in fact saying that a woman seeing his manhood is like being blessed by the Holy Ghost.

From The Daily Beast

Apparently many posted images of themselves as well, as if the little girl would find their manhood irresistible.

From The Daily Beast

I have dwelt on this as an illustration of how irrecoverably a man loses his manhood when he is made a God.

From Project Gutenberg

She made me a profound and graceful curtsey—feminine homage to my budding manhood.

From Project Gutenberg

Of his private life during manhood we know very little, of his boyhood nothing.

From Project Gutenberg

In youth, manhood, and old age he loved his neighbour, and his faith in him remained unshaken.

From Project Gutenberg

Grown to manhood, the son, aware of the fate in store for him, resolves to go ‘where there is not a drop of sea-water.’

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adulthood
• boldness
• bravery
• courage
• fortitude
• masculinity
• mettle
• nobility
• potency
• virility