male

7 synonyms and 2 antonyms for male, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Of the sex that produces sperm rather than eggs, in humans, animals, or plants.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

man boy

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

masculine manly

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

manful virile manlike

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Of the sex that produces sperm rather than eggs, in humans, animals, or plants.

“The male peacock spread his bright tail to impress the females.”

masculine man boy manly manful virile manlike

Opposites

androgynous female

2. noun

A person or animal of the male sex.

“In many bird species, the male is brighter than the female.”

Opposites

female

How to use male

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

male and female a young male male hormone

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.

Etymology

From Old French masle, from Latin masculus, a diminutive of mas, "male." Related to "masculine" and "macho."

Full origin of male →

Frequently asked questions

What does “male” mean?

The word “male” means of the sex that produces sperm rather than eggs, in humans, animals, or plants. In plain terms, describes the sex that does not bear young or produce eggs — used for people, animals, and plants alike.

How do you pronounce “male”?

“Male” is pronounced mayl (/meɪl/ in IPA).

How do you use “male” in a sentence?

Here is “male” used in a sentence: “The zoo just welcomed a healthy male giraffe.”

What is the opposite of “male”?

The opposite of “male” — its antonyms — is female.

What part of speech is “male”?

Depending on how it is used, “male” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “male” come from?

The word “male” comes from Latin. From Old French masle, from Latin masculus, a diminutive of mas, "male." Related to "masculine" and "macho.".

Is “male” a common word?

“Male” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “male” have?

“Male” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: of the sex that produces sperm rather than eggs, in humans, animals, or plants.

What is the difference between "male" and "man"?

"Male" is a biological term for any person or animal of the sex that produces sperm rather than eggs, while "man" means an adult human male specifically. The noun "male" is normal in scientific, medical, or statistical writing, but in everyday speech "man" or "boy" is usually the more natural choice.

What is the difference between "male" and "masculine"?

"Male" refers to biological sex, whereas "masculine" refers to qualities, styles, or behaviour traditionally associated with men. Someone can be male without being described as masculine, and "masculine" also names a grammatical gender in languages such as French and German.

Can "male" describe plants?

Yes. The word covers humans, animals, and plants: in botany, "male" describes plants or flower parts that produce pollen — the counterpart of producing sperm — rather than bearing seeds or fruit.

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man boy female manly masculine androgynous manful virile

Nearby words

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