Masculinity Meaning
/ˌmæskjəˈlɪnɪti/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe degree or property of being masculine or manly; manliness.
Sentence Examples
I think hairiness is a symbol of masculinity, so I really like it.
We're trying to help Tom reclaim his masculinity.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Society often pressures men to prove their ____ through physical strength to others.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The sociologist's research paper discusses evolving concepts of ____ in modern society.
Word Origin & History
From French masculinité, from Old French, equivalent to masculine + -ity. Earlier in same sense was masculineness.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Of the six homosexual patients, three men finally overcame the underlying vaginaphobia, increased their heterosexual activities, and enhanced their masculinity."
— 1971, American Journal of Psychotherapy, volume 25, page 657:
"Steven Cohan highlights the suggestive qualities of Red Rivers dominant narrative, the opposition between the radically different masculinities Clift and Wayne represent: "the highly charged context between the soft boy and the hard man in '''Red River dramatizes such a shift in the mainstream culture's demands upon ''masculinity"."
— 2013, Elisabetta Girelli, Montgomery Clift, Queer Star, page 33:
"“What this work shows is that masculinity is not just an ideology that men strive to achieve. It’s something we value as a culture,” said lead author Theresa Vescio, a professor of psychology and women’s, gender and sexuality studies at Pennsylvania State University."
— 2021 January 9, Sandee LaMotte, “Valuing male dominance may predict support for Trump, study says”, in CNN:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Society often pressures men to prove their ____ through physical strength to others.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The sociologist's research paper discusses evolving concepts of ____ in modern society.