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macho

macho

117 6.7
Acting very proud and forceful about being a man
  • adjective
  • /ˈmɑːtʃoʊ/
  • Informal
: macho
  • I received the quick impression of a face that was both soft and macho at the same time.
  • macho behavior
  • macho culture
  • very macho

Being hard, being macho, being strong, being tough.

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Examples

  • Decisive, self-assured, macho types have always attracted me, though I couldn't have told you why.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Being hard, being macho, being strong, being tough.

  • Fill it up yourself, macho man.

  • What is this macho thing?

  • Boys are expected to be macho and to assume financial responsibilities at an early age.

    Academic text (2003)
  • In Mexico, I don't think that it's even close to being legalized because it's a very macho society.

  • A lone figure had emerged from one of the barracks and now strode with macho determination toward them.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • He always acts like a macho man, showing off his strength and toughness.

  • In many action movies, the hero is often portrayed as a macho figure, dominating every scene.

  • Society sometimes expects men to be macho, pressuring them to hide their emotions.

Synonyms

manly
vsmacho
95 3.0

Showing strength, courage, or a strong will often seen as men's qualities

is more about exaggerated show of male appearance than sincere virtues
masculine
vsmacho
87 3.7

Having qualities people often connect with men, for example strength and toughness

is more exaggerated in appearance and conduct than that general quality
butch
vsmacho
12 8.4

Having a masculine appearance and way of behaving

is more exaggerated and showy in male appearance and conduct

Antonyms

408 1.0

Kind and not strong in action, sound, or touch

148 3.4

Having style or qualities people often connect with women

Compounds

macho-man
  • Informal
21 8.1

A man who acts very tough and shows his physical strength

How Masculine

macho
  • Informal
117 6.7
manly
95 3.0
masculine
87 3.7

Surface Forms

macho positive

Etymology

Macho comes from Spanish macho, meaning 'male', and it is the same root behind machismo. That's why calling someone macho describes a man who looks or acts very manly, often in a showy or over-the-top way.