Question

Identify the masculine noun(s) among the following:
king, nun, bridegroom, lord, widow
(a)king
(b)widow
(c)king, bridegroom and lord
(d)king, nun and bridegroom

Answer 1

Hint: Try to understand the meaning of each word and the context they are usually used in. Then, choose the word that is used to refer to males or boys out of the given options.

Complete answer:
Gender is defined as the classifying of a noun or
pronoun as feminine, masculine or neuter in gender. An example of gender is the word ‘man’ which is a masculine noun, and its feminine noun is ‘woman’. There are pre-assigned genders in English, meaning that it is not subject to change. However, there is a third gender in English called ‘neuter gender’ which is assigned to inanimate objects that do not possess gender or do not classify to be gendered.
Now, we know what gender refers to in English grammar. Let’s look at the given options
one by one:
(a)king - The word ‘king’ refers to ‘the male ruler of an independent state, especially one who inherits the position by right of birth', which can be classified as a masculine noun. However, it is not the only masculine noun. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
(b)widow - The word ‘widow’ refers to ‘a woman who has survived her husband', which is a feminine noun. This is not a masculine noun. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
(c)king, bridegroom and lord - The word ‘bridegroom’ refers to ‘a man on his wedding day or just before and after the event', and the word ‘lord’ refers to ‘a man of noble rank or high office; a nobleman', these are all classified as masculine nouns. This is the required answer. So, this is the correct option.
(d)king, nun and bridegroom - The word ‘nun’ refers to ‘a member of a religious community of women, typically one living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience', which is a feminine noun. This is not a masculine noun. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.

Note: Objects noted for their power, strength, and violence are used as Masculine gender nouns. The sun, summer, time, death etc… are masculine-gender nouns.