he-man
/'hi:'mæn/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - A man who is very strong, muscular, and traditionally masculine in appearance and behavior. The term emphasizes physical strength, toughness, and stereotypical male vigor.
Usage
The word "he-man" is used to describe a man who embodies an exaggerated, stereotypical form of masculinity, particularly physical power and a rugged appearance. It is often used informally and can sometimes have a slightly humorous or ironic tone.
Examples
- Noun:
- The action movie star was often cast as the tough he-man who saves the day.
- He spends hours at the gym trying to build a he-man physique.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used attributively (like an adjective) before another noun.
- He has a he-man attitude about not showing emotion.
- It can sometimes carry a critical or satirical connotation, questioning outdated stereotypes of masculinity.
- The advertisement's image of the he-man chopping wood felt like a cliché.
Variants and Related Words
- Machismo (n): Strong or aggressive masculine pride.
- Macho (adj): Exhibiting or characterized by machismo.
- Alpha male (n): A dominant man in a particular group.
Synonyms
- Strongman
- Muscleman
- Tough guy
- Virile man
Antonyms
- Wimp
- Weakling
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "He-man" is itself often used as a fixed descriptive phrase. A related concept is:
- "All brawn and no brains": A critical idiom describing someone who is physically strong but not intelligent, which could be applied to a stereotypical "he-man" character.
Noun
- a man who is virile and sexually active