masculinize

[ mas-kyuh-luh-nahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, mas·cu·lin·ized, mas·cu·lin·iz·ing.

1. Medicine/Medical. to produce certain male secondary sex characteristics in (a female).
2. to make masculine in character, quality, or appearance:

   The presence of two large leather sofas seemed to masculinize the whole room.

masculinize

/ ˈmæskjʊlɪnˌaɪz /

verb

1. to make or become masculine, esp to cause (a woman) to show male secondary sexual characteristics as a result of taking steroids

Derived Forms

• ˌmasculiniˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• mascu·lin·i·zation noun
• de·mascu·lin·i·zation noun
• de·mascu·lin·ize verb (used with object) demasculinized demasculinizing

Word History and Origins

Origin of masculinize¹

First recorded in 1920–25; masculine + -ize

Example Sentences

For example, females born in litters with many males become masculinized, likely from the high testosterone levels in the mother’s uterus.

From Salon

“Some of their behaviors are heavily masculinized, and others are not.”

From National Geographic

Losty pinned the lack of progress in mental health on the masculinized nature of the industry, and da Silva said the topic is still “taboo” in racing.

From Seattle Times

If they decide to move forward with a medical gender transition, they may take some combination of hormones—estrogen for feminizing effects or testosterone for masculinizing effects—to experience puberty that aligns with their gender.

From Scientific American

Because steroids are masculinizing by definition, female bodybuilders who take them are likely to experience changes in their appearance beyond growing bigger muscles.

From Washington Post