masculinity
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
- anti-masculinity noun
- hypermasculinity noun
- nonmasculinity noun
- pseudo-masculinity noun
- supermasculinity noun
Explanation
Masculinity is the quality of manliness — habits and traits that society considers to be appropriate for a man. While certain jobs and professions have traditionally been associated with masculinity, like the military and firefighting, for example, these associations have begun to change as more women have pursued those types of careers. Some typical traits of masculinity include physical strength, a muscular body, and facial hair. The Latin root of masculinity is masculinus, "male," which comes from masculus, or "worthy of a male."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He knows they live online, and says it is important he uses his platform to "flood" those spaces with content that could shake up perceptions of mainstream masculinity.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026
Last week, Michael Ian Black wrote about three TV shows that raise questions about masculinity: “DTF St. Louis,” “Your Friends & Neighbors” and “Rooster.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026
Almost two-thirds of boys and men aged 16-25 in the UK, US, and Australia regularly watch and read masculinity influencer content, research from the men's mental health charity Movember shows.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026
Probing the tropes of rigid masculinity, “Half Man,” premiering Thursday on HBO, chronicles the destructive bond between two men over several decades.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026
He clings to his masculinity, his solitude and his feigned indifference so he can maintain his role, so he’ll never, ever have to show his feelings.
From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
