VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

machismo

noun·Advanceddisapproving

Last updated

UK/məˈtʃɪzməʊ/
US/mɑːˈtʃiːzmoʊ/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. noununcountabledisapproving

    An exaggerated display of manliness, using toughness, bravado or dominance to show strength.

    Grammar: Never takes an or a plural: a culture of machismo.

    Patterns

    • a culture of machismo
    • machismo in something

    The team's locker-room machismo made newcomers uncomfortable.

    He tried to hide his fear behind a show of machismo.

    Machismo can push young men into taking pointless risks.

  2. noununcountabledisapproving

    A set of attitudes in which men are expected to be dominant and women to be submissive.

    Grammar: Often discussed in social and cultural commentary.

    Patterns

    • machismo in a society

    Activists say machismo still shapes attitudes toward women in some workplaces.

    The novel explores machismo in a small mining town.

Common combinations

macho machismo
His macho machismo came across as insecurity.
culture of machismo
Researchers studied the culture of machismo in the army.
swagger and machismo
The film is full of swagger and machismo.
display of machismo
Driving fast was his display of machismo.
toxic machismo
Coaches are trying to remove toxic machismo from youth sports.

Synonyms and how they differ

bravado
Bravado is boldness put on to impress or hide fear and is not specific to men, while machismo is tied to masculine pride.
virility
Virility is a neutral or positive word for male strength or sexual vigor, whereas machismo is usually critical.
swagger
Swagger describes a confident walk or manner that shows off, while machismo is a wider attitude.
chauvinism
Chauvinism in this sense means a belief that men are superior, while machismo is the show of manliness.

Word family

macho adjective
strongly or aggressively masculine in style
macho noun
a man who shows machismo
machista noun
a Spanish-influenced word for a man who shows machismo, used rarely in English

Commonly confused: machismo or masculinity? machismo or misogyny?

machismo vs masculinity

Masculinity is a neutral word for qualities seen as typical of men, while machismo is exaggerated and often criticized.

machismo vs misogyny

Misogyny is hatred of women, while machismo is about showing off manly strength and dominance.

Practice

His constant boasting was a classic case of ___ trying to hide insecurity.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “machismo”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words