masculinity

noun

mas·​cu·​lin·​i·​ty ˌma-skyə-ˈli-nə-tē How to pronounce masculinity (audio)
Synonyms of masculinitynext
: the quality or nature of the male sex : the quality, state, or degree of being masculine or manly
challenging traditional notions about masculinity and femininity
… a style which alternates between a polished grace and blunt masculinity.—Stuart Keate
The man controlling his environment is today the prevailing American image of masculinity.—Susan Faludi

Synonyms of masculinity

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Examples of masculinity in a Sentence

some men believe that wearing pink would undermine their masculinity
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
All this was built on a self-deprecating stand-up persona that made hay of middle-aged masculinity. — Alison Herman, Variety, 30 June 2026 This can fuel a return to regressive ideals of masculinity and virility. — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 6 July 2026 The decades that followed brought new worries about masculinity related to the decline of the family wage and the male breadwinner. — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 23 June 2026 The sessions went so well that Morali asked Willis to front the group, which adopted campy archetypes of masculinity — cop, cowboy and construction worker among them — in their stage costumes. — Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for masculinity

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of masculinity was in 1613

Phrases Containing masculinity

Rhymes for masculinity

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Browse Nearby Words

masculinist
masculinity
masculinization
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Cite this Entry

“Masculinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masculinity. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

masculinity

noun
mas·​cu·​lin·​i·​ty ˌmas-kyə-ˈlin-ət-ē How to pronounce masculinity (audio)
plural masculinities
: the quality, state, or degree of being masculine
measurement of masculinity or femininity—Psychological Abstracts

More from Merriam-Webster on masculinity

Nglish: Translation of masculinity for Spanish Speakers

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