man's man
Stereotypically masculine fellow
A man's man is a man who embodies traditionally masculine qualities—physical strength, toughness, directness, practical competence—and is admired by other men for it.
The phrase suggests someone comfortable in male company, at ease with tools or sports or hunting, uninterested in refinement or sensitivity: He was a man's man who'd rather be in the garage than at a dinner party.
Compare lady's man, which describes appeal to women rather than kinship with men.
Primary household earner
- protectorOne who safeguards others
- patriarchMale head of family
- dependableWorthy of trust
- responsibleObligated to answer for actions
hardworking · steady · reliable · dutiful · supportive · stable · devoted · committed
Wilderness activity enthusiast
- lumberjackProfessional tree cutter
- mountaineerProfessional summit climber
- grizzledStreaked with gray
- weatheredEroded by exposure
calloused · bearded · flannel · woodsman · hunter · fisherman · camping · wilderness
Pleasantly attractive in manner
- suaveSmoothly refined in manner
- gallantCourageously attentive and refined
- debonairSophisticated and carefree
- dashingSpiritedly stylish and bold
smooth · rakish · magnetic · confident · swagger · bold · gregarious · sociable
Excessive masculine pride
- alphaFirst Greek letter
- virilePowerfully masculine
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
- jockSports-obsessed person
bro · red-blooded · macho · traditional · old-school · fraternal · boyish · patriarchal
Durable and strong
- reservedRestrained in manner
- unemotionalLacking outward feeling
- unflappableImpossible to disturb
- composedCalm and self-possessed
resilient · enduring · self-controlled · impassive · unflinching · steadfast · undemonstrative · laconic
breadwinner
Primary household earner
- protectorOne who safeguards others
- patriarchMale head of family
- dependableWorthy of trust
responsible · hardworking · steady · reliable · dutiful · supportive · stable · devoted · committed · loyal
outdoorsman
Wilderness activity enthusiast
- lumberjackProfessional tree cutter
- mountaineerProfessional summit climber
- grizzledStreaked with gray
weathered · calloused · bearded · flannel · woodsman · hunter · fisherman · camping · wilderness · rough-hewn
charming
Pleasantly attractive in manner
- suaveSmoothly refined in manner
- gallantCourageously attentive and refined
- debonairSophisticated and carefree
dashing · smooth · rakish · magnetic · confident · swagger · bold · gregarious · sociable · convivial
machismo
Excessive masculine pride
- alphaFirst Greek letter
- virilePowerfully masculine
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
jock · bro · red-blooded · macho · traditional · old-school · fraternal · boyish · patriarchal · unreconstructed
tough
Durable and strong
- reservedRestrained in manner
- unemotionalLacking outward feeling
- unflappableImpossible to disturb
composed · resilient · enduring · self-controlled · impassive · unflinching · steadfast · undemonstrative · laconic · tight-lipped