alpha male

[al-fuh meyl]

noun

1. a male animal having the highest rank in a dominance hierarchy.

   Studies show that in spite of their high rank, access to females, etc., baboon alpha males experience a great deal of stress.

2. the most dominant, powerful, or assertive man in a particular group.

   He thinks he's the alpha male of investment bankers.

3. Slang: Sometimes Disparaging.,  a man who is perceived to be assertive, successful, and sexually dominant.

alpha male

noun

1. the dominant male animal or person in a group

Word History and Origins

Origin of alpha male¹

First recorded in 1935–40