masculinity

noun

mas·​cu·​lin·​i·​ty ˌma-skyə-ˈli-nə-tē 

: 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

• maleness
• manhood
• manliness
• virility
• machismo

Examples of masculinity in a Sentence

some men believe that wearing pink would undermine their masculinity

Recent Examples on the Web

That fieldwork became the foundation for a fictional narrative built around migration, masculinity, aspiration, labor and belonging. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026

By the ’70s and into the ’80s, filmmakers were again taking the heist seriously, often turning the form into procedural explorations of crime, professionalism, and masculinity. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026

In prison, which is a hyper-masculine space, there was this subtle thinking about masculinity. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

If someone tried doing this complex, multistep performance of masculinity with me, especially without time to rehearse, both my brain and body would short-circuit before permanently shutting down. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing masculinity

• hyper-masculinity

Rhymes for masculinity

• alkalinity
• consanguinity
• crystallinity
• femininity
• affinity
• divinity
• infinity
• salinity
• vicinity
• virginity

Medical Definition

masculinity

noun

mas·​cu·​lin·​i·​ty ˌmas-kyə-ˈlin-ət-ē 

plural masculinities

: the quality, state, or degree of being masculine

measurement of masculinity or femininity

—Psychological Abstracts