macho

American  

[mah-choh] / ˈmɑ tʃoʊ /

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.

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noun

plural

machos

1. Also machoism assertive or aggressive manliness; machismo.

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

macho British  

/ ˈmætʃəʊ /

adjective

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

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noun

1. a man who displays such characteristics

MACHO Scientific  

/ mä′chō /

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.

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macho Cultural  

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.”

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Other Word Forms

• antimacho adjective
• supermacho noun
• unmacho adjective

Etymology

Origin of macho

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

Example Sentences

We meet his look with bulletproof smiles, stone faces on which, with his myopic macho vision, he can't make out the writing on the walls.

From Literature

He was trying to be as macho as he thought I was.

From Literature

But Alex Rover is not a typical macho action-man.

From Literature

Male loyalty is what keeps the macho system going, so Mundín will want to protect Manuel.

From Literature

He was also, strange as it is to say, a refreshing sort of female presence in a place where macho was the rule.

From Literature

Related Words

• aggressive
• cocky
• manly
• masculine