noun
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the state or quality of being a man or being manly
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men collectively
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archaic the state of being human
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informal a euphemism for a man's genitalia
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of manhood
Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; see origin at man, -hood
Explanation
The word manhood describes both the adult period in a male human's life, and the qualities that make him a man. Some people believe that a boy reaches manhood when he hits puberty, while others maintain that manhood is based on becoming independent and responsible. Peter Pan just opted out. Teenage boys sometimes do dangerous things to "prove their manhood," like driving recklessly or getting in fights. It's not uncommon to equate manhood with "macho" characteristics and behavior, but the true proof of manhood lies in things like being a good father or becoming a responsible and caring adult. In the thirteenth century, manhood applied to both men and women, "state of being human," from the Old English man, "person."
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.
Warhol might’ve been different, seemingly unique in his performance of manhood.
From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026
And when does poking fun at arrested manhood cross into enabling it?
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026
He likened the war to a test of manhood for boys.
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
At the time, however, the frontier – with its rugged cowboys, miners and railroad men – defined American manhood.
From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026
He held out the prospect of becoming part of something larger than themselves, of finding in themselves something they did not yet know they possessed, of growing from boyhood to manhood.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
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.
