male

Pronunciation

• (UK) (US) enPR: māl, IPA ^(key): /meɪl/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Homophone: mail

Adjective

Positive male

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. A person, animal, or plant that is male produces sperm or pollen. Boys and men are male people.
   • Antonym: female
   • Synonym: ♂

   The male dog is usually larger than the female.

2. If something is male, it is of, for, or about men or boys.
   • Antonym: female

   The boys can change in the male change room over there.

   This movie is good for a male audience.

Noun

Singular male

Plural males

1. A male is a person, animal, or plant that cannot have babies or eggs.
   • Antonym: female

   In humans males are called men or boys

   Three adult males left the bank at 2:14.

Usage notes

Saying male to mean boy or man is right and common in some dialects. In other dialects male is used only as an adjective, and using it as noun is wrong. Using male to mean an animal or plant is more widely accepted.