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

Sex Ed for Guys, a Tik Tok project created by Colby College students, addresses everything from consent and dating to healthy masculinity. — Katie Hurley, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

Faustino Alanís’ coming-of-age story follows a teenager caught between artistic ambition and family responsibility, using the rhythms of street culture to explore masculinity, adulthood and the difficult transition from childhood to independence. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

His fiction also addresses such topics as family, identity, and masculinity. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026

The role of masculinity Proving your masculinity can become a central part of proving your worth and fit at a fraternity. — Pietro A. Sasso, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 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