womanly

womanly
wom•an•ly
[[t]ˈwʊm ən li[/t]] adj.
1) having qualities traditionally ascribed to women; feminine; not masculine or girlish
2) in the manner of, or befitting, a woman
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Etymology: 1250–1300 wom′an•li•ness, wom′an•ness, n. syn: womanly, womanlike, womanish mean having traits or qualities considered typical of or appropriate to adult human females. womanly a term of approval, suggests such admirable traits as self-possession, modesty, and motherliness: a womanly consideration for others. womanlike may be a neutral synonym for womanly or it may convey mild disapproval: womanlike tears and reproaches. womanish is usually disparaging. Applied to women, it suggests traits not socially approved: a womanish petulance; applied to men, it suggests traits not culturally acceptable for men but (in what is regarded as a sexist notion) typical of women: a womanish shrillness in his speech. See also female

From formal English to slang. 2014.

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Synonyms:
(in a good sense),


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Womanly — Wom an*ly, a. Becoming a woman; feminine; as, womanly behavior. Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster] A blushing, womanly discovering grace. Donne. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • womanly — womanly, womanish Womanly is a complimentary word applied to women and meaning ‘having the good qualities of women’, whereas womanish is applied to men and is usually derogatory in the sense ‘effeminate, unmanly’. See also female, feminine …   Modern English usage

  • womanly — [woom′ənlē] adj. 1. like a woman; womanish 2. characteristic of or fit for a woman; womanlike adv. Archaic in a womanly manner SYN. FEMALE womanliness n …   English World dictionary

  • Womanly — Wom an*ly, adv. In the manner of a woman; with the grace, tenderness, or affection of a woman. Gascoigne. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • womanly — womanlike, ladylike, womanish, feminine, *female, effeminate Analogous words: *mature, matured, grown up, adult Antonyms: unwomanly, manly Contrasted words: mannish (see MALE): *youthful, juvenile, virgin, virginal, maiden …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • womanly — [adj] feminine female, girlish, ladylike, maidenly, matronly, motherly, womanish; concepts 371,372,408,648 …   New thesaurus

  • womanly — womanliness, womanness, n. /woom euhn lee/, adj. 1. like or befitting a woman; feminine; not masculine or girlish. adv. 2. in the manner of, or befitting, a woman. [1250 1300; ME wommanli(che). See WOMAN, LY] Syn. 2. WOMANLY, WOMANLIKE, WOMANISH… …   Universalium

  • womanly — [[t]w ʊmənli[/t]] ADJ GRADED (approval) People describe a woman s behaviour, character, or appearance as womanly when they like it because they think it is typical of, or suitable for, a woman rather than a man or girl. She had a classical,… …   English dictionary

  • womanly — adjective 1) womanly virtues Syn: feminine, female; archaic feminal Ant: masculine 2) her womanly figure Syn: voluptuous, curvaceous, shapely, ample, buxom …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • womanly — adjective 1) womanly virtues Syn: feminine, female 2) her womanly figure Syn: voluptuous, curvaceous, shapely, ample, buxom, full figured; informal curvy, busty • Ant …   Synonyms and antonyms dictionary

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