macho
B2Informal. Sometimes pejorative/derogatory.
Definition
Meaning
A man who asserts his masculinity in an aggressive, domineering, or exaggerated way.
Behaviour, attitudes, or culture that emphasises traditional masculine traits like toughness, strength, and dominance, often to the exclusion or denigration of traits considered 'feminine'. Can also describe something designed for or characteristic of such a man.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Originally a Spanish word meaning simply 'male', it was borrowed into English with a culturally specific, critical connotation. It describes a performance or posture of masculinity, not biological maleness. Implies insecurity or overcompensation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common and established in American English due to cultural proximity to Latin America. In British English, it can sometimes sound like a direct borrowing or a media term.
Connotations
Predominantly negative or critical in both varieties, implying an outdated, toxic, or ridiculous masculinity. In some specific, often humorous contexts (e.g., 'macho man'), it can be used with a degree of self-aware irony.
Frequency
Medium frequency in AmE, lower medium frequency in BrE. Often found in discussions of gender roles, psychology, media criticism, and pop culture.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
He is [too/so/incredibly] macho.It was a display of pure macho.The film critiques macho culture.He felt pressured to act macho.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Macho man”
- “All macho and no substance”
- “A macho display (of strength/bravery)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in critical HR contexts: 'The company is trying to move away from its old macho management style.'
Academic
Common in sociology, gender studies, cultural studies, and media studies to critique hegemonic masculinity.
Everyday
Used to criticise someone showing off or being domineering: 'Oh, don't be so macho—just ask for directions.'
Technical
Not a technical term in hard sciences. Used descriptively in social sciences.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He was machoing about, trying to lift the heavy box on his own.
American English
- Stop machoing up and admit you're lost.
adverb
British English
- He puffed out his chest macho-ly.
American English
- He acted all macho, refusing to wear a coat in the cold.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He is a very macho man.
- I don't like his macho attitude; he never listens to others.
- The company's culture was criticised for being overly macho and discouraging parental leave for men.
- The novel deconstructs the myth of the macho frontiersman, revealing the loneliness and violence inherent in that ideal.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a man doing a 'MACHO' press-up (like a clap push-up). MACHO sounds like 'MASH-O' – he's so tough he wants to mash everything.
Conceptual Metaphor
MASCULINITY IS A PERFORMANCE / A FORTRESS (needing constant defence).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'мачо' (pronounced 'macho'), which is a direct loanword but can be used more neutrally or even positively as 'a physically attractive, sexually confident man'. The English word is almost always negative.
- Do not translate as 'мужчина' (man) or 'мужественный' (courageous/manly). The core is the exaggerated, often toxic performance.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a neutral synonym for 'male' (e.g., 'a macho student' meaning 'a male student').
- Spelling: 'matcho'.
- Pronunciation: /məˈʧoʊ/ is incorrect; stress is on the first syllable.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'macho' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very rarely and only in a highly figurative or critical sense, e.g., 'She adopted a macho management style.' It describes a performance of traditionally masculine traits, not a person's sex.
'Machismo' is the noun form meaning the quality, culture, or ideology of being macho. 'Macho' is primarily an adjective or a countable noun for a person. E.g., 'He is macho' vs. 'The film explores themes of machismo'.
Not always, but it is predominantly negative or critical. In ironic or self-deprecating use ('We had a macho competition to see who could carry more groceries'), it can be humorous. It is almost never a pure compliment.
No, the word is a tool for describing and often criticising a specific type of sexist behaviour or culture. It is widely used in feminist and academic discourse to analyse problematic aspects of traditional masculinity.