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male

/meɪl/
adjectivenoun

MALE meaning: masculine; this four-letter word scores 6 Scrabble points and rearranges into MEAL or LAME.

NWL Collins ENABLE

Adjective 1 meaning

  1. Having the F factor; able to impart DNA into another bacterium which does not have the F factor (a female).

Noun 2 meanings

  1. A bacterium which has the F factor.

  2. A male connector, pipe fitting, etc.

Definitions: Wiktionary (CC BY-SA) via Kaikki/Wiktextract

Where it comes from

Etymology

From Middle English male, borrowed from Old French malle, masle (Modern French mâle), from Latin masculus (“masculine, a male”), diminutive of mās (“male, masculine”). Doublet of macho. Displaced native Old English wǣpned (“male”, literally “weaponed”).

Similar and opposite words

Similar
plugmanlymannishmasculinepin
Opposite
female

MALE means masculine in everyday use, with a specialized dictionary sense for a bacterium carrying the F factor. On a rack, its M carries half the tile value, while A, L, and E add one point each. That gives the word a modest total with one clear scoring hinge.

MALE at a glance

  • MALE is four letters long and uses the letters A, E, L, and M.
  • Its Scrabble total is 6 points: M is worth 3, and each other tile is worth 1.
  • MEAL, LAME, MELA, LEAM, and ALME are its five anagrams.
  • Among four-letter words, 6% begin with M and 13% end with E.

What does MALE mean, and what is its Scrabble score?

MALE refers to masculine gender in its common sense. A specialized dictionary definition also uses the word for a bacterium carrying the F factor. In ordinary reading, the gender-related use is the one most people will recognize.

The word appears in Collins, NWL2023, and ENABLE. A familiar meaning does not guarantee acceptance in every game, though; tournament play follows the dictionary chosen for that game. Check that list when a challenge matters.

MALE scores 6 Scrabble points before board bonuses. M contributes 3, while A, L, and E contribute 1 each. A premium square under M changes the score more than one under any other tile, so save that letter for a stronger placement when the board allows it.

How do MALE's anagrams and neighbors differ?

Five anagrams use the same letters: MEAL and LAME are familiar, while MELA, LEAM, and ALME are less common in everyday writing. The first two are quick checks when your rack holds A, E, L, and M; verify the less familiar spellings against your game's word list.

MALE has 24 one-letter neighbors, including MAKE, MADE, MILE, MATE, MALL, MOLE, and MULE. SALE, TALE, and PALE change only the first letter; MAKE changes the final one. These swaps show how a single tile can preserve most of the pattern while creating a different word.

For a quick MALE meaning check, remember the common gender-related use; the F-factor definition is specialized. The opening M appears in 6% of four-letter words, compared with 13% ending in E. When either position is fixed, use the other letters to narrow your options.

Rhymes with male

All rhymes

One letter away

Change one letter, keep the rest

Questions people ask

Is MALE a valid word in word games?
MALE appears in Collins, NWL2023, and ENABLE. Those lists cover many common word games, but acceptance depends on the dictionary selected for your match. The ordinary meaning refers to masculine gender; the word also has a specialized dictionary definition.
How many Scrabble points is MALE worth?
MALE is worth 6 points before any board bonuses. The M tile supplies 3 points, and A, L, and E supply 1 each. A letter premium under M therefore adds more than a premium under any of the other three tiles.
What words can you make from the letters in MALE?
MEAL, LAME, MELA, LEAM, and ALME use the same four letters as MALE. MEAL and LAME are familiar choices; the other spellings are less common, so check your game's dictionary before playing them.

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