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

Example Sentences

So you hunker down and give in to the alpha male.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Swash explains: "We can all get in fights down the streets and go on boys' holidays, but not everyone can change a nappy and love and nurture and cherish a child and for me, that's an alpha male".

Read more on BBC

His audience will never accept a woman in this fake “alpha male” role.

Read more on Salon

One wife is seen pegging her alpha male husband.

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After all, if your five-year-old can give you a black eye, you’re not the kind of alpha male Trump wants on his staff.

Read more on Salon