mas·cu·line
ˈma-skyə-lən
1
a
: considered to be characteristic of men
stereotypically masculine traits/characteristics
masculine pride/bravado
Cady stands as a direct challenge to Bowden's masculine dominance—their first encounter in the film, for example, is when Cady shoves his hand into Bowden's car and turns off the ignition.—Jamelle Bouie
: marked by or having qualities, features, etc. traditionally associated with men
a masculine voice
This one's a man's watch. And though it's built for rugged, masculine pursuits, the simple face and elegant strap lend it a suit-worthy elegance, too.—advertisement in GQ
The masculine equivalent of haute couture in suits features jackets with soft shoulders, large sleeves, neat fronts and small-notched lapels …—Ariel Wizman
b
: of, relating to, or being a man or boy
(dated) … the masculine [=male] inhabitants of the village …—Thomas Hardy
The butler these days is seen as a masculine version of Heloise, Miss Manners and Julia Child rolled into one.—Liz Pogue
also
: of, relating to, or intended for men or boys
A hundred years later, the finery of French court dressing had given way to the simplicity of the English squire, whose coarse tweeds and woolens set the tone for a new definition of masculine attire. —Frances Rogers
2
grammar
: of, relating to, or constituting the gender (see gender entry 1 sense 1a) that ordinarily includes most words or grammatical forms referring to males as well as other words and forms either systematically or arbitrarily in the same category
The word for "cat" is feminine in German (die Katze) and masculine in Spanish (el gato).
3
a
poetry
: being a stressed and usually additional final syllable after the final complete foot (see foot entry 1 sense 4)
a masculine ending
b
of rhyme
: having a stressed final syllable
4
of a musical cadence
: ending on an accented beat
The masculine cadence resolves on the first beat of the measure and is much more conclusive than the feminine.—William Russo
masculinely
adverb
see also:
plural masculines
1
grammar
a
: a noun, pronoun, adjective, or inflectional form or class of the masculine gender (see masculine entry 1 sense 2)
b
: the masculine (see masculine entry 1 sense 2) gender
2
a
: the embodiment or conception of an idealized masculine nature
the power of the divine masculine
b
: the set of qualities, features, etc. traditionally associated with men
Like many of Campion's films, "The Power of the Dog" dramatizes a clash between the masculine and the feminine—Phil's own sense of manliness is bound up with emotional remoteness and animosity toward softness.—Jordan Kisner
see also:
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
Cite this Entry
“Masculine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masculine. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.
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