What “Himbo” Means (& Why It Might Be a Compliment)

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Plus, examples of popular himbo characters

Co-authored by Amber Crain Reviewed by Candace Gasper

Last Updated: September 10, 2025 Fact Checked

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Meaning

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In Pop Culture

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Is it offensive?

If you've seen the word “himbo” making the rounds on social media lately, you’re probably wondering what it means. Is it a compliment or an insult? A “himbo” is a physically attractive man who lacks intelligence, so it must be an insult… except it’s a bit more complex than that! Pop culture's recent “himbo renaissance” has transformed the term into a positive stereotype. Confused yet? We’ve got you! Read on for a full breakdown of what “himbo” means, including an explanation of the term’s recent rebranding.

The Meaning of Himbo

“Himbo” is a slang term for a good-looking but unintelligent man. It’s a combination of the words “him” and “bimbo” (an attractive but unintelligent woman). “Himbo” is usually offensive because it insults another person’s intelligence while complimenting their attractiveness, but it can also be used in a positive way.

Section 1 of 3:

What does “himbo” mean?

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A “himbo” is a gentle and attractive guy who lacks intelligence. Himbos are usually muscular, kind, and naive men who aren’t known for their intelligence. They look sexy, but they don’t have a lot going on upstairs, so to speak. Himbos also have a reputation for being respectful to and well-liked by women. Think of it like this—himbos are usually buff enough to be imposing, but too dumb and sweet to ever come across as threatening to women (or men). So while a himbo can’t perform brain surgery or build a rocket, he might be hot and lovable enough to steal your girlfriend!
- Synonyms: Beefcake, heartthrob, hunk, stud, golden retriever boyfriend
- Celebrity himbos (according to the media): Keanu Reeves, Harry Styles, Jon Hamm, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Evan Peters, Chris Evans, The Rock, Chris Hemsworth
- Fictional himbo characters: Ken in Barbie, Steve Harrington in Stranger Things, Michael Kelso in That '70s Show, Aquaman in Aquaman, Han Solo in Star Wars, Thor in Thor^{[1]
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Section 2 of 3:

Himbos in Media & Pop Culture

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“Himbo” started gaining a more positive connotation in the 2020s. The term has been around since the 1980s and originally it was used in a negative way. But something akin to a himbo renaissance took place in the 2020s as the media began portraying the “dumb but pretty” stereotype as a positive archetype with inherently good qualities (kindness, optimism, innocence). The word has recently been used in a positive way to discuss lovable himbo characters in movies and TV shows, and even became a term of endearment in some circles.^{[2]
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- That said, many people took to social media to call out the recent “himbo fetishization,” calling it objectifying and ableist.
- The use of “himbo” on dating apps: The rebranding of “himbo” led to dating app users putting things like “looking for a himbo” in their profiles and bios. Essentially, they’re looking for a hot, fit, non-predatory dude with a heart of gold to Netflix and chill with.

Section 3 of 3:

Is “himbo” offensive?

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Yes, “himbo” is usually considered to be somewhat offensive. At best, “himbo” is a back-handed compliment since it insults the attractive person’s intelligence. At worst, “himbo” insults and objectifies the person because it implies that they’re dumb and their physical attractiveness is all they have going for them. We don’t recommend calling anyone a “himbo,” even in jest, unless you know the person well and you’re sure they’ll be amused.
- Since the early 2020s, whether “himbo” is rude or not really depends on context. The media often uses the term in a positive light to highlight “lovable stud” characters in films.
- “Bimbo” (the female equivalent to “himbo”) is generally considered to be insulting. We don’t recommend using that one, either.