male

1 of 2

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 2

noun

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

Synonyms of male

Adjective

• masculine

Noun

• 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

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

Some Democrats argue that the cost of ignoring young male voters is higher than the risk of association with Piker. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026

Members of the Will County SWAT tactical team and the Will County crisis and hostage negotiation team attempted for hours to de-escalate the situation through negotiations and conversations with the male subject, some of those conversations including his family members, authorities said. —Alicia Fabbre, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026

Noun

Republicans have attempted to drive a similar wedge over transgender politics, holding a vote last weekend on whether to restrict biological males from competing in women’s sports, but Democrats managed to stay united in opposing the legislation in a 49-41 vote. —David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026

Experts assume that the whale is a young male, as males, unlike females, tend to migrate. —ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

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