masculinity

/mæskjuˈlɪnɪɾi/

/mæskjuˈlɪnɪti/

Other forms: masculinities

Masculinity is the quality of manliness — habits and traits that society considers to be appropriate for a man.

While certain jobs and professions have traditionally been associated with masculinity, like the military and firefighting, for example, these associations have begun to change as more women have pursued those types of careers. Some typical traits of masculinity include physical strength, a muscular body, and facial hair. The Latin root of masculinity is masculinus, "male," which comes from masculus, or "worthy of a male."

Definitions of masculinity

1. noun

   the trait of behaving in ways considered typical for men
   antonyms:

   femininity

   the trait of behaving in ways considered typical for women

   types:

   manfulness, manliness, virility

   the trait of being manly; having the characteristics of an adult male

   boyishness

   being characteristic of a boy

   machismo

   exaggerated masculinity

   hoydenism, tomboyishness

   masculinity in women (especially in girls and young women)

   type of:

   trait

   a distinguishing feature of your personal nature
2. noun

   the properties characteristic of the male sex
   synonyms: maleness

   types:

   virility

   the masculine property of being capable of copulation and procreation

   type of:

   gender, sex, sexuality

   the properties that distinguish organisms on the basis of their reproductive roles