male

1 of 3

adjective

ˈmāl 

1

a(1)

: of, relating to, or being the sex that typically has the capacity to produce relatively small, usually motile gametes which fertilize the eggs of a female

(2)

: having or producing only stamens or staminate flowers

a male holly

b

: having a gender identity that is the opposite of female

c

: made up of usually adult members of the male sex : consisting of males

a male choir

d

: characteristic of boys, men, or the male sex : exhibiting maleness

a deep male voice

e

: designed for or typically used by boys or men

a male cologne

male contraceptives

f

: engaged in or exercised by boys or men

A social code that taught women deference to male power in return for protection was upended …

—Jane E. Schultz

g

: having a quality (such as vigor or boldness) sometimes associated with the male sex

2

: masculine sense 3b

a male rhyme

3

: designed with a projecting part for fitting into a corresponding female part

a male hose coupling

maleness

ˈmāl-nəs 

noun

male

2 of 3

noun (1)

plural males

1

a

: a male person : a man or a boy

b

: an individual of the sex that is typically capable of producing small, usually motile gametes (such as sperm or spermatozoa) which fertilize the eggs of a female

2

: a plant having stamens but no pistils

maleness

3 of 3

noun (2)

male·​ness

plural -es

: the qualities (as of form, physiology, behavior) that distinguish an individual that produces small usually motile gametes from one that produces eggs : masculinity

—opposed to femaleness see sex

Synonyms of male

Adjective

• masculine

Noun (1)

• guy
• gentleman
• man
• dude

Examples of male in a Sentence

Adjective

There were more male than female students.

Most extension cords have a male plug on one end and a female plug on the other.

Noun (1)

She attended a school where there were more males than females.

The male of this species assists the female in feeding the young.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

That's because of superfecundation, which means that one female cat can become pregnant by multiple male cats at the same time. — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 5 July 2026

We are encouraged to indulge our delusions about replacement theory and white male superiority and to surrender to our instincts toward incivility and division. — Dawn M. Turner, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Noun

Japan’s monarchy has for centuries maintained male-only succession, which is on-brand for a deeply patriarchal society where men dominate other spheres of life such as business and politics. — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Sometime after the altercation, the deceased male and another unknown man saw the shooter in the food court and attacked him. — Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French masle, male, adjective & noun, from Latin masculus — more at masculine

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing male

• alpha male
• anti-male
• inter-male
• male alto
• male chauvinism
• male chauvinist pig
• male fern
• male gaze
• male menopause
• male-pattern baldness
• male-sterile

Rhymes for male

• ail
• ale
• bail
• baile
• dail
• fail
• flail
• frail
• gael
• gail
• grail
• hail

Kids Definition

male

1 of 2 adjective

ˈmā(ə)l 

1

a

: of, relating to, or being the sex that produces gametes which fertilize the eggs of females

b

: bearing only stamens

especially : having only stamens and not producing fruit or seeds

a male holly

2

: made up or consisting of males

a male choir

maleness noun

male

2 of 2 noun

: a male individual

Medical Definition

male

1 of 2 noun

ˈmā(ə)l 

: an individual that produces small usually motile gametes (as sperm or spermatozoa) which fertilize the eggs of a female

male

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or being the sex that produces gametes which fertilize the eggs of female

2

: designed for fitting into a corresponding hollow part

Geographical Definition

Male

geographical name

Ma·​le ˈmä-lē 

atoll in the Indian Ocean that is the chief island of the Maldives and contains the nation's capital population 103,693