macho

Definition

Adjective:
- Exaggeratedly or aggressively masculine: Used to describe a man who displays or emphasizes stereotypical masculine traits, often in an overt, assertive, or domineering manner. This can relate to appearance, behavior, or attitude.
- Characterized by machismo: Pertaining to a strong sense of masculine pride, often associated with an emphasis on physical courage, virility, and dominance over women.
Noun:
- A man exhibiting machismo: A male who embodies or displays the qualities of machismo.

Usage Examples

Adjective:
- He adopted a very macho posture, refusing to show any emotion.
- The film's hero was portrayed with a macho swagger and a dismissive attitude.
Noun:
- He's just a macho who thinks crying is a sign of weakness.
- The culture celebrated the macho as the ideal male figure.

Advanced Usage

The term often carries a critical or negative connotation, implying that the masculinity displayed is performative, excessive, or toxic.
- His macho facade hid a deep insecurity.
It can be used ironically or sarcastically.
- Oh, very macho of you to lift that all by yourself.

Variants and Related Words

Machismo (n): The quality of being macho; strong or aggressive masculine pride.
- The culture's machismo often pressures men to suppress their feelings.
Machista (adj/n): (From Spanish) A person, typically a man, who exhibits or supports machismo.
- His machista attitudes made collaboration difficult.

Synonyms

Virile: (Often positive) Having masculine strength or spirit.
Butch: (Informal, often related to appearance or lesbian culture) Having an overtly masculine appearance or manner.
Hypermasculine: Excessively masculine.

Antonyms

Related Phrases/Idioms

Macho man: A direct, often emphatic reference to a man embodying these traits.
- He tried to act like a macho man in front of his friends.
Macho culture/code: Refers to social environments or unwritten rules that promote macho behavior.
- The macho culture in some workplaces discourages men from taking parental leave.