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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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of alpha male1

First recorded in 1935–40
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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.

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.

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A rich guy paying scores of women to have his babies reads as "alpha male" by MAGA, so the Christian right is largely staying mum about it.

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Saxon is the preening alpha male, vocally on the prowl for sex, telling his little brother that he needs to drink more protein shakes and man up.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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