masculinity
Traits considered manly
Masculinity is the quality of being masculine—traits, behaviors, and characteristics associated with men or maleness.
What counts as masculine varies across cultures and eras: physical strength, stoicism, assertiveness, and protectiveness are common associations.
Toxic masculinity refers to harmful expressions of manhood that enforce dominance or suppress emotion.
He struggled with traditional notions of masculinity.
Sperm-producing sex
- manhoodAdult male status
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
- patriarchyMale-dominated social order
- fatherhoodState of being dad
brotherhood · machismo · paternal · hegemonic · boyhood · manly · macho · virile
Capacity for reproduction
- potencyDegree of strength
- libidoInnate erotic drive
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
- procreationGenerating biological offspring
paternity · reproduction · vigor · vitality · stamina · potent · siring · fecundity
Fortitude facing danger
- valorCourage in danger
- heroismExceptional courage under duress
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
daring · boldness · fearlessness · tenacity · chivalry · resolute · adventurous · stalwart
Contractile body tissue
- strengthPower to exert force
- bodybuildingMuscle enlargement for appearance
- athleticismPhysical skill and agility
- brawnMuscular power, bodily might
stamina · powerlifting · weightlifting · robustness · fitness · vigor · physique · bulk
One who furnishes things
- guardianProtective caretaker of another
- defenderOne who guards another
- breadwinnerPrimary household earner
- protectorOne who safeguards others
shield · champion · safeguard · security · patron · patriarch · caretaker · responsibility
Adult male human
- transPrefix for across
- transitioningPassing from one state another
- transgenderGender differs from assignment
- genderqueerOutside the two-category system
nonbinary · cisgender · pronouns · intersex · questioning · expression · presentation · performance
Courteous, honorable man
- chivalryKnightly code of honor
- gallantCourageously attentive and refined
- courteousShowing respectful consideration
- dapperNeatly and stylishly dressed
debonair · suave · sophisticated · polished · dignified · honorable · noble · principled
Ability to direct others
- confidenceSelf-assurance or trust
- assertivenessConfident self-expression quality
- ambitionDesire for achievement
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
power · control · competitiveness · decisiveness · aggression · forcefulness · influence · command
Ability to restrain impulses
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- composureEmotional self-control
- equanimityUnshakable mental steadiness
impassivity · detachment · suppression · toughness · reserve · discipline · perseverance · fortitude
male
Sperm-producing sex
- manhoodAdult male status
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
- patriarchyMale-dominated social order
fatherhood · brotherhood · machismo · paternal · hegemonic · boyhood · manly · macho · virile · gentleman
fertility
Capacity for reproduction
- potencyDegree of strength
- libidoInnate erotic drive
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
procreation · paternity · reproduction · vigor · vitality · stamina · potent · siring · fecundity · lustiness
courage
Fortitude facing danger
fortitude · daring · boldness · fearlessness · tenacity · chivalry · resolute · adventurous · stalwart · unflinching
muscles
Contractile body tissue
- strengthPower to exert force
- bodybuildingMuscle enlargement for appearance
- athleticismPhysical skill and agility
brawn · stamina · powerlifting · weightlifting · robustness · fitness · vigor · physique · bulk · hardiness
provider
One who furnishes things
- guardianProtective caretaker of another
- defenderOne who guards another
- breadwinnerPrimary household earner
protector · shield · champion · safeguard · security · patron · patriarch · caretaker · responsibility · duty
man
Adult male human
- transPrefix for across
- transitioningPassing from one state another
- transgenderGender differs from assignment
genderqueer · nonbinary · cisgender · pronouns · intersex · questioning · expression · presentation · performance · fluidity
gentleman
Courteous, honorable man
- chivalryKnightly code of honor
- gallantCourageously attentive and refined
- courteousShowing respectful consideration
dapper · debonair · suave · sophisticated · polished · dignified · honorable · noble · principled · decorum
leadership
Ability to direct others
- confidenceSelf-assurance or trust
- assertivenessConfident self-expression quality
- ambitionDesire for achievement
authority · power · control · competitiveness · decisiveness · aggression · forcefulness · influence · command · drive
self-control
Ability to restrain impulses
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- composureEmotional self-control
equanimity · impassivity · detachment · suppression · toughness · reserve · discipline · perseverance · fortitude · imperturbability
- gender rolesgender roles, femininity, gender stereotypes, traditional roles, gender norms
- gendergender, male, female, feminine, man
- Raising Boysson, upbringing, discipline, role models, father-son bond
- gender developmentgender identity, gender norms, gender stereotypes, gender expression, feminine roles
- gender expressionandrogynous, androgyny, butch, femme, feminine
- gender studiesfemininity, gender norms, gender fluidity, androgyny, womanhood
masculinityfemininity
Female nature or character
femaleness · womanliness · womanhood · feminine · feminineness
masculinityeffeminacy
Feminine quality in men
emasculation · effeteness · unmanliness · delicacy · softness
masculinityemasculation
Removal of masculine power
unmanliness · effeminacy · androgyny · gender nonconformity · queerness
- toxic masculinityHarmful rigid male norms
- traditional masculinityConventional male gender norms
- masculinity crisisPerceived decline of male identity
masculinized, masculinize, masculinities, masculinization, masculinizing, hypermasculinity