noun
Uncommon
testosterone
teh-STO-stuh-rohn
Testosterone (noun) means a hormone, produced mainly in the testes, that drives male physical development and sex drive. Example: “Testosterone levels naturally decline with age.”
noun
1
A hormone, produced mainly in the testes, that drives male physical development and sex drive.
"Mammalian testes contain almost no testosterone because it is sent out into the body as quickly as it is made."
— Bill Bryson, The Body: A Guide for Occupants (2019)
"Testosterone levels naturally decline with age."
2
Aggressive, macho, or overconfident behaviour, used loosely and often humorously.
"The locker room was full of testosterone before the big game."
How to use testosterone
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe main male sex hormone, or informally, a shorthand for macho, aggressive energy.
Common pairings
testosterone levels
high on testosterone
testosterone-fuelled
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Word forms
- Plural
- testosterones
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_____ levels naturally decline with age.
Etymology
A blend of "testis" (the source gland), the connecting vowel "-o-", and "-sterone", a suffix used for steroid hormones — the same family that gives us "cholesterol".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for testosterone
See all rhymes for testosterone →Frequently asked questions
What does “testosterone” mean?
The word “testosterone” means a hormone, produced mainly in the testes, that drives male physical development and sex drive. In plain terms, the main male sex hormone, or informally, a shorthand for macho, aggressive energy.
How do you pronounce “testosterone”?
“Testosterone” is pronounced teh-STO-stuh-rohn (/tɛˈstɑ.stəˌɹoʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “testosterone” in a sentence?
Here is “testosterone” used in a sentence: “Testosterone levels naturally decline with age.”
What part of speech is “testosterone”?
“Testosterone” is a noun.
Is “testosterone” a common word?
“Testosterone” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “testosterone” have?
“Testosterone” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hormone, produced mainly in the testes, that drives male physical development and sex drive.
What is the difference between testosterone and estrogen?
Testosterone is a hormone produced mainly in the testes that drives male physical development and sex drive, while estrogen is the primary hormone associated with female physical development; both exist in some amount in all sexes. The two are often contrasted as the main "male" and "female" sex hormones, though both play roles in men and women.
What does it mean when someone says a situation has "too much testosterone"?
This is a loose, often humorous use of "testosterone" to describe aggressive, macho, or overconfident behaviour, typically associated with groups of men, rather than referring to the hormone itself. It's commonly used to describe overly competitive or bravado-heavy environments.
Is testosterone only found in men?
No, testosterone is produced mainly in the testes and is associated with male physical development, but it is also naturally present in smaller amounts in women, produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands. It plays roles in libido and physical development in both sexes, though at different typical levels.
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