Dictionary.com

macho

[ mah-choh ]
/ ˈmɑ tʃoʊ /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: macho / machos on Thesaurus.com

adjective
having or characterized by qualities considered manly, especially when manifested in an assertive, self-conscious, or dominating way.
having a strong or exaggerated sense of power or the right to dominate.
noun, plural ma·chos.
Also ma·cho·ism . assertive or aggressive manliness; machismo.
an assertively virile, dominating, or domineering male.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of macho

An Americanism first recorded in 1925–30; from Spanish: literally, “male,” from Latin masculus; see male, masculine

OTHER WORDS FROM macho

an·ti·ma·cho, adjectivesu·per·ma·cho, noun, plural su·per·ma·chos.un·ma·cho, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH macho

male, masculine, macho
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use macho in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for macho

macho
/ (ˈmĂŠtʃəʊ) /

adjective
denoting or exhibiting pride in characteristics believed to be typically masculine, such as physical strength, sexual appetite, etc
noun plural machos
a man who displays such characteristics

Word Origin for macho

C20: from Spanish: male; see machismo
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for macho

MACHO
[ mĂ€â€Čchƍ ]

Short for massive astrophysical compact halo object.Any of various massive dark objects, such as a brown dwarf star, black hole, or large planet, found in a galactic halo. MACHOs are thought to make up at least a part of the dark matter that apparently pervades much of the universe.
The American HeritageŸ Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for macho

macho
[ (mah-choh) ]

The often exaggerated, aggressive virility of a male: “Jim likes to wear a torn T-shirt and a black leather jacket when he rides his motorcycle. I guess he thinks it makes him look macho.” The original Spanish word means “male.”

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
FEEDBACK