machoism
|ma-cho-ism|
🇺🇸
/ˈmɑːtʃoʊɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˈmæʃəʊɪz(ə)m/
exaggerated masculinity
Etymology
'machoism' originates from Spanish and Greco-Latin elements: specifically from Spanish 'macho' (meaning 'male' or 'male animal') combined with the suffix '-ism' (from Greek '-ismos' via Latin and French, meaning 'state, condition, or practice').
'macho' entered English from Spanish in the late 19th to early 20th century; English then formed nouns describing related attitudes such as 'machismo' and later extended the pattern to 'machoism' to denote the state or ideology of being macho, resulting in the modern English word 'machoism'.
Initially related simply to 'maleness' or being 'male,' over time it evolved to mean 'an exaggerated, culturally enforced form of masculinity' or 'masculine pride often linked to dominance or sexism.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an attitude or behavior expressing exaggerated masculinity, often emphasizing toughness, dominance, and rejection of perceived weakness.
His machoism made him dismiss other people's feelings as unimportant.
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Noun 2
a cultural or social system that values and rewards stereotypically masculine traits and marginalizes traits viewed as feminine.
Critics argue that machoism in the organization discouraged cooperation and emotional openness.
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Last updated: 2026/01/17 07:17