adj
male
mayl
adj
1
Of the sex that produces sperm rather than eggs, in humans, animals, or plants.
"The zoo just welcomed a healthy male giraffe."
"Male flowers on the plant appear before the female ones."
noun
1
A person or animal of the male sex.
"The study focused on males between the ages of 18 and 30."
How to Use Male
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes the sex that does not bear young or produce eggs — used for people, animals, and plants alike.
When to use it
In everyday speech about people, "man/boy" often sounds more natural than "male" as a noun; "male" as a noun is common in clinical, legal, or scientific contexts.
Common pairings
male and female
a young male
male hormone
Word Forms
males plural
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The zoo just welcomed a healthy _____ giraffe.
Etymology
From Old French masle, from Latin masculus, a diminutive of mas, "male." Related to "masculine" and "macho."