macho

[mah-choh]

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

machos 

1. Also machoism assertive or aggressive manliness; machismo.

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

macho

/ ˈmætʃəʊ /

adjective

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

noun

1. a man who displays such characteristics

MACHO

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.

macho

1. 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.”

Other Word Forms

• antimacho adjective
• supermacho noun
• unmacho adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of macho¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of macho¹

C20: from Spanish: male; see _machismo

Example Sentences

Various other theories have been put forward including the existence of a macho, hard-partying culture; a reluctance, especially among men, to seek mental health support; and even the country's long, dark winters.

From BBC

“This macho man has so much love for me,” said Kordell, their eyes filled with warmth.

From Los Angeles Times

"I'm dressed like He-Man, let's put it that way," he says of Wayne's makeover to resemble the macho, scantily-clad, sword-wielding 1980s cartoon hero.

From BBC

We witness reverent preparation, much ceremony and more blood than any slasher film, and eventually absorb the unmistakable sense that this macho performative world exists almost defiantly against anyone’s notion of “progress.”

From Los Angeles Times

At their core, however, they deeply humiliated the government’s macho national security and intelligence agencies.

From Salon

Related Words

• aggressive 
• cocky 
• manly 
• masculine