adj
Uncommon
macho
MACH-oh
Macho (adj) means showing an exaggerated, often aggressive sense of masculinity. Example: “He puts on a macho act around his friends but he's actually quite gentle.”
adj
1
Showing an exaggerated, often aggressive sense of masculinity.
"He puts on a macho act around his friends but he's actually quite gentle."
noun
1
A man who displays this exaggerated masculine pride.
"The team was full of machos trying to outdo each other in the gym."
How to use macho
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes a man acting tough and aggressively masculine, often to the point of showing off.
Common mistake
Usually has a slightly negative or mocking tone in English, unlike a simple compliment about masculinity.
Common pairings
macho attitude
macho man
act macho
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like macho.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- machos
- Comparative
- more macho
- Superlative
- most macho
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He puts on a _____ act around his friends but he's actually quite gentle.
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish macho ("male"), from Latin masculus — the same root as "male."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for macho
See all rhymes for macho →Frequently asked questions
What does “macho” mean?
The word “macho” means showing an exaggerated, often aggressive sense of masculinity. In plain terms, describes a man acting tough and aggressively masculine, often to the point of showing off.
How do you pronounce “macho”?
“Macho” is pronounced MACH-oh (/ˈmɑ.t͡ʃoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “macho” in a sentence?
Here is “macho” used in a sentence: “He puts on a macho act around his friends but he's actually quite gentle.”
What part of speech is “macho”?
Depending on how it is used, “macho” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “macho” come from?
The word “macho” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Spanish macho ("male"), from Latin masculus — the same root as "male.".
Is “macho” a common word?
“Macho” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “macho” have?
“Macho” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: showing an exaggerated, often aggressive sense of masculinity.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include macho:
