alpha male

[ al-fuh meyl ]

noun

1. a male animal having the highest rank in a dominance hierarchy:

   Studies show that in spite of their high rank, access to females, etc., baboon alpha males experience a great deal of stress.

2. the most dominant, powerful, or assertive man in a particular group:

   He thinks he's the alpha male of investment bankers.

3. Slang: Sometimes Disparaging. a man who is perceived to be assertive, successful, and sexually dominant.

alpha male

noun

1. the dominant male animal or person in a group

Word History and Origins

Origin of alpha male¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

The caged alpha male was rumored to have had a few dalliances.

From Washington Post

On one hand, these macho men are constantly portraying themselves as strong and alpha male, but through the victimhood thing, they try to appeal to people’s care for them, and people feel very protective of them.

From Time

Former RSD instructor Nathan Kole says he saw firsthand how this “alpha male” marketing can damage students.

From The Daily Beast

In recent years, Montana has been electing a certain breed of burly, alpha male Democrats.

From The Daily Beast

Football is the most American of sports, the Alpha Male of games.

From The Daily Beast

The quartet giggles like preteen girls around its idol, an unattached alpha male played by Joe Manganiello.

From The Daily Beast

Werner has also taken to living closely with his wolves, behaving as an alpha male to earn their acceptance and respect.

From The Daily Beast