English Reference

Word

manhood

Phoneticsman·hood, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈmænˌhʊd/

UK/mˈænhʊd/

Definitions

01adulthood for males

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. the time or state of being an adult man rather than a boy.

n. the state or period of being an adult male, typically following puberty or a rite of passage.

“He felt he had finally reached manhood when he started his first full-time job.”

“In many traditional cultures, young males must complete specific trials to prove they have transitioned from childhood into full manhood.”

Antonyms

02masculine qualities

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. the qualities that people traditionally think a man should have, like strength or courage.

n. the set of traditional or idealized characteristics associated with being a man.

“The old stories often focused on bravery as the most important part of manhood.”

“Modern sociological studies often examine how the traditional concept of manhood has evolved to include emotional vulnerability and domestic participation.”

Synonyms

manlinessmasculinityvirility

03men collectively

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Literary

n. all the men in a particular place or group.

n. men regarded collectively, often within a specific nation, ethnicity, or social group.

“The king called upon the manhood of the country to defend the borders.”

“The war had a devastating effect on the nation, depleting the young manhood of an entire generation within just four years.”

Synonyms

menfolkmales

Antonyms

04male genitalia

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Humorous · Informal

n. a polite or indirect way to talk about a man's private parts.

n. a euphemistic reference to the male genitalia, specifically the penis.

“The comedian made a silly joke about a man protecting his manhood during the game.”

“The script used the term 'manhood' as a playful euphemism to avoid more graphic language while maintaining the scene's comedic tone.”

Synonyms

Etymology

From Middle English manhode, also manhede (> obsolete English manhead), equivalent to man + -hood. Cognate with Middle Dutch manheit (“manhood”), Middle Low German manheit (whence German Low German Mannheit (“manhood”)), German Mannheit (“manhood”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
Frequency
Occasional
Level
C1 · Advanced
Updated

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English Reference