What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
male
Example
The male lion is the leader of the pride. [male: adjective]
Example
He was born male but identifies as non-binary. [male: noun]
macho
Example
He's always trying to prove how macho he is by picking fights. [macho: adjective]
Example
The movie portrays a stereotypical macho hero who saves the day. [macho: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Male is a more common word than macho and is used in a wider range of contexts. Macho is less common and is often used in a negative way to criticize behavior that is seen as overly aggressive or domineering.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between male and macho?
Male is a neutral and formal term that can be used in any context, while macho is informal and often used in a negative or critical way.