masculine

American  

[mas-kyuh-lin] / ˈmæs kyə lɪn /

adjective

1. pertaining to or characteristic of a man or men.

   masculine attire.

2. having qualities traditionally ascribed to men, as strength and boldness.

   Synonyms:

   manly

3. Grammar. noting or pertaining to the gender of Latin, Greek, German, French, Spanish, Hebrew, etc., which has among its members most nouns referring to males, as well as other nouns, as Spanish dedo, “finger,” German Bleistift, “pencil.”

4. (of a woman) mannish.

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noun

Grammar.

1. the masculine gender.

2. a noun or other element in or marking that gender.

masculine British  

/ ˈmæskjʊlɪn /

adjective

1. possessing qualities or characteristics considered typical of or appropriate to a man; manly

2. unwomanly

3. grammar

   1. denoting a gender of nouns, occurring in many inflected languages, that includes all kinds of referents as well as some male animate referents

   2. ( as noun )

      German ``Weg'' is a masculine

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Related Words

See male.

Other Word Forms

• hypermasculine adjective
• hypermasculinely adverb
• hypermasculineness noun
• hypermasculinity noun
• masculinely adverb
• masculineness noun
• masculinity noun
• nonmasculine adjective
• nonmasculinely adverb
• nonmasculineness noun
• nonmasculinity noun
• pseudomasculine adjective
• supermasculine adjective
• supermasculinity noun
• ultramasculine adjective
• unmasculine adjective
• unmasculinely adverb

Etymology

Origin of masculine

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English masculin, from Latin masculīnus, equivalent to mascul(us) “male” ( mās “male” + -culus -cule ¹ ) + -īnus -ine ¹

Explanation

If something’s masculine, it’s related to men. When you hear a masculine voice outside greeting your neighbor, you know it’s your dad and not your mom. Masculine can describe people or things that have qualities often associated with men. If someone has a masculine appearance, the person is probably tall and strong. If your new jacket has masculine tailoring, that means it’s cut like a man’s jacket. Masculine can also refer to words. In many languages, words — especially nouns — are given a gender. If you’ve studied French or Spanish, you know you need to figure out which article to use with a masculine noun.

Example Sentences

"He kind of just fit a masculine action-star stereotype... I'm pretty much positive none of us could name a movie he'd been in."

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

Like their hero, the only masculine strength they seem interested in is the kind performed for cameras, far away from real-world challenges that might easily defeat their self-image as the mightiest of men.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2026

And that took letting go of whatever this masculine image was that was blocking me.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

A German listener can instantly narrow the options, ruling out masculine or neuter singular nouns.

From Science Daily • Feb. 20, 2026

It was unpretentious, masculine, decorated with a nautical motif, and had a constant smell of fried bacon about it.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

• macho
• male
• manful
• manlike
• manly
• virile