What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
macho
Example
He acted macho in front of his friends, trying to prove his toughness. [macho: adjective]
Example
The coach's macho attitude towards the players was not appreciated. [macho: noun]
masculine
Example
He had a deep, masculine voice that commanded attention. [masculine: adjective]
Example
The company's new ad campaign aimed to appeal to a more masculine audience. [masculine: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Masculine is more commonly used than macho in everyday language. Masculine is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while macho is less common and may be considered outdated or offensive in some contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between macho and masculine?
While masculine can be used in both formal and informal contexts, macho is typically associated with a more informal or even derogatory tone.