Definition and Pronunciation
Metrosexual is a term describing a man who pays particular attention to his appearance, grooming, fashion, skincare, and lifestyle, regardless of his sexual orientation. The word became popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s to describe urban men who invested significant time and money in personal style and self-care.
Pronunciation: MET-roh-SEK-shoo-uhl
Easy Explanation
A metrosexual man enjoys taking care of his appearance. He may spend time choosing fashionable clothing, maintaining a skincare routine, exercising, styling his hair, or using grooming products.
Despite containing the word “sexual,” the term does not describe a sexual orientation. A metrosexual man may be heterosexual, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, or have any other sexual orientation.
Grammatical Formation
- Part of speech: Noun; adjective (e.g., “a metrosexual man,” “metrosexual style”)
- Related noun: Metrosexuality (uncommon)
- Related terms: Grooming, masculinity, fashion
Word Comparisons
Metrosexual vs. Sexual Orientation
Metrosexual describes a lifestyle, fashion sense, and grooming habits. Sexual orientation describes whom a person is romantically or sexually attracted to.
Metrosexual vs. Masculinity
A metrosexual man may embrace traditional masculine qualities, nontraditional styles, or a combination of both. The term relates to grooming and appearance rather than to masculinity itself.
Metrosexual vs. Gender Expression
Some metrosexual men express themselves through fashion or grooming in distinctive ways. However, metrosexual is not a gender identity or a form of gender expression in the same sense as terms like gender non-conforming or androgynous.
Metrosexual vs. Androgynous
An androgynous appearance blends traditionally masculine and feminine characteristics. A metrosexual style emphasizes careful grooming and fashion but does not necessarily involve an androgynous appearance.
Connotations
The term metrosexual generally has neutral or positive connotations, although it is used less frequently today than it was in the early 2000s. Many people now simply refer to good grooming, self-care, or modern men’s fashion without using the label.
Meaning with Prepositions
Metrosexual as
Example: Some magazines described him as metrosexual.
Metrosexual in
Example: The term metrosexual became popular in the late 1990s.
Metrosexual for
Example: Metrosexual became a label for fashion-conscious men.
Metrosexual with
Example: He is often associated with a metrosexual lifestyle because of his interest in fashion and grooming.
Real-Life Examples
A metrosexual man may regularly visit a barber or hairstylist, use skincare products, wear fashionable clothing, exercise, and pay attention to personal hygiene and appearance. These habits do not reveal anything about his gender identity or sexual orientation.
Synonyms
There is no exact synonym for metrosexual, but related terms include:
- Fashion-conscious man
- Well-groomed man
- Style-conscious man
- Grooming enthusiast (descriptive phrase)
Antonyms
There is no direct antonym for metrosexual.
Related Terms
- Grooming
- Fashion
- Self-care
- Personal style
- Masculinity
- Appearance
- Androgynous
- Gender expression
- Sexual orientation
- Identity
- Humansexuality
- Lifestyle
- Skincare
- Men’s fashion
- Personal care
Common Collocations
- Metrosexual man
- Metrosexual lifestyle
- Metrosexual fashion
- Metrosexual style
- Metrosexual grooming
- Metrosexual image
- Metrosexual appearance
- Metrosexual trend
- Metrosexual culture
- Metrosexual look
- Metrosexual identity (informal usage)
- Metrosexual movement
Idiomatic and Figurative Usage
Metrosexual is a descriptive lifestyle term. It has no established idiomatic or figurative meaning.
Today, the term is less commonly used than in previous decades, as attention to grooming and fashion has become more widely accepted among men without requiring a special label.
Sample Sentences
- The magazine described him as metrosexual because of his interest in fashion.
- A metrosexual man often values personal grooming and self-care.
- Metrosexual does not describe a person’s sexual orientation.
- Fashion and grooming preferences vary from person to person.
- Many men follow skincare routines without identifying as metrosexual.
- Personal style is an individual choice.
- Good grooming can contribute to confidence.
- Respecting different styles promotes individuality.
Connection to Sexuality
Although the word metrosexual contains the word “sexual,” it is not a sexual orientation. It describes a lifestyle characterized by attention to grooming, fashion, and appearance. A metrosexual person may have any sexual orientation or gender identity.
Understanding the term metrosexual helps distinguish between personal style, gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Recognizing these differences promotes accurate education and a broader understanding of human sexuality and identity.
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