The Meaning of Himbo: What It Is and How To Use It

Have you ever heard the slang word himbo on social media and wondered what it meant? This article will cover the meaning of himbo.

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The word himbo: what does it mean? You may have heard this word floating around social media on websites like Twitter. If someone calls someone else a himbo, what are they insinuating? 

This article will cover the meaning of the word himbo, synonyms, antonyms, and how to use himbo in a sentence. Keep reading to learn more!

What Does the Word Himbo Mean?

According to Dictionary, the word himbo is a portmanteau of “him” and “bimbo.” This term refers to an attractive man who is also a vacuous man. The himbo archetype embodies the trope of the hot dumb guy. 

The word himbo is commonly used on social media sites like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to describe males with “golden retriever” energy. This stereotype celebrates manhood with buff muscles and a lack of intelligence, which some feel feeds into toxic masculinity and can even be considered ableist. 

While some people are attracted to types like Tom Selleck, Woody Harrelson, Keanu Reeves, or Sylvester Stallone, other people find themselves drawn to the macho himbo. 

Hollywood examples of himbos include the model Fabio, Jason Mendoza, Chris Hemsworth, Matthew McConaughey, Channing Tatum in Magic Mike, Chris Pratt in Parks and Recreation, and Kronk in The Emperors New Groove.

How Can Himbo Be Used in a Sentence?

The word himbo is a slang term and is often only used on social media or in casual conversation. If you are in a more formal situation, you should choose an alternate word. Additionally, calling someone a himbo can be considered offensive because it insinuates that a person is dumb. Take caution before using the word himbo!

Below, you will find example sentences that contain the word himbo. To learn how to use the word himbo, study the example sentences and then try coming up with your own until you feel confident using the word himbo in a sentence!

Example 1: Discussing Himbos Online

The Twitter user tweeted how attracted she was to the himbo in the new episode of her favorite show. It got a lot of attention on social media because so many people agreed with her.

Here, people are all attracted to a himbo online.

Example 2: Himbos on Television

The fangirl Jeanne could not believe that the himbo stole the new girl in the cast from the writer, Kempley. However, she did not see that coming and texted the rest of her friends who watched the show to see if they were outraged as well.

Here, the fangirl sees a himbo on a television show and can’t believe another character will choose him over the smart one.

Example 3: The Himbo’s Dilemma

The himbo walked around with a 6-foot python around his neck for entertainment. He was completely unaware of the danger that he was in, and everyone else enjoyed how he looked with his shirt off.

In this example, since the himbo is dumb, he does not realize his danger, and no one tells him because he looks so good shirtless.

Example 4: Date with a Himbo

I went on a date with a total himbo last night – we could barely have a coherent conversation, but he was so hot that I decided to make out with him anyway. I’ll never see him again, but it was a really fun night.

Here, the woman went on a date with a himbo whom she would not date long term. Since he was attractive, she kissed him anyway.

What Are Synonyms of the Word Himbo?

Since the word himbo is both a slang term and can have negative connotations, sometimes it can be helpful to know synonyms of the word himbo. These can be useful if you are in a situation where using the word himbo is inappropriate or when you do not want to insult someone by calling them dumb. 

Take a look at this list of synonyms of himbo from Power Thesaurus and see how many you know!

  • adventurous
  • audacious
  • beefcake
  • bold
  • boyish
  • brave
  • brawny
  • butch
  • chivalrous
  • composed
  • cool
  • courageous
  • craggy
  • daring
  • dauntless
  • doughty
  • fearless
  • formidable
  • gallant
  • gentlemanly
  • gutsy
  • hardy
  • heroic
  • hoydenish
  • hunky
  • intrepid
  • jock
  • lionhearted
  • macho
  • male
  • manful
  • manfully
  • manlike
  • mannish
  • masculine
  • mettlesome
  • muscular
  • noble
  • plucky
  • powerful
  • red-blooded
  • resolute
  • robust
  • rugged
  • spunky
  • stalwart
  • stout
  • stout-hearted
  • strapping
  • strong
  • sturdy
  • tigerhearted
  • tomboyish
  • tough
  • unafraid
  • undaunted
  • unfeminine
  • valiant
  • valorous
  • venturesome
  • vigorous
  • virile
  • well-built

What Are Antonyms of the Word Himbo?

Many people could be described as the opposite of a himbo. If you are trying to describe someone who does not embody masculinity, you can try using one of the below antonyms of himbo from Power Thesaurus

Use these antonyms with caution because some of them can also be taken as an insult.

  • affected
  • androgynous
  • bent
  • bisexual
  • camp
  • campy
  • cockered
  • cowardly
  • dainty
  • dandyish
  • delicate
  • desexed
  • distaff
  • effeminate
  • effeminate cockney
  • effeminize
  • effete
  • emasculate
  • emasculated
  • epicene
  • featherbed
  • featherbedding
  • feeble
  • female
  • feminine
  • feminize
  • foppish
  • frail
  • gentle
  • girlish
  • girly
  • ladylike
  • mincing
  • pantywaist
  • poncey
  • queeny
  • sissified
  • sissy
  • sissyish
  • soft
  • swish
  • swishy
  • transvestite
  • unmanful
  • unmanlike
  • unmanly
  • unmasculine
  • weak
  • wimpish
  • womanish
  • womanlike
  • womanly

Conclusion

The word himbo is a portmanteau of the words him or he and the word bimbo. A himbo is a man who is very attractive but very dumb. Many characters in shows, movies, and books can be considered himbos. 

Many people are attracted to this hot dumb archetype, but some find it offensive or even ableist. Do you know any himbos from the media or in real life? 

Sources:

  1. Manly synonyms – 433 Words and Phrases for Manly | Power Thesaurus 
  2. Manly antonyms – 125 Opposites of Manly | Power Thesaurus 
  3. Himbo | Dictionary