male
mayl
Male (adj) means of the sex that produces sperm rather than eggs, in humans, animals, or plants. Example: “The male peacock spread his bright tail to impress the females.”
adj
1
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."
"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.
"In many bird species, the male is brighter than the female."
"The vet said the puppy was a healthy male."
"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.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
male and female
a young male
male hormone
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Word forms
- Plural
- males
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The _____ peacock spread his bright tail to impress the females.
Etymology
From Old French masle, from Latin masculus, a diminutive of mas, "male." Related to "masculine" and "macho."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for male
See all rhymes for 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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