womanly
Americanadjective
adverb
adjective
-
possessing qualities, such as warmth, attractiveness, etc, generally regarded as typical of a woman, esp a mature woman
-
characteristic of or belonging to a woman
Synonym Usage
Womanly, womanlike, womanish mean having the traits or qualities that a culture regards as especially characteristic of or ideally appropriate to adult women. Womanly is usually a term of approval, suggesting the display of traits admired by the society, such as self-possession, modesty, motherliness, and calm competence: a womanly consideration for others; with womanly skill and efficiency. Womanlike may be a neutral synonym for womanly, or it may suggest mild disapproval: a womanlike dignity; womanlike tears and recriminations. Womanish is usually disparaging; applied to women it suggests traits not generally socially approved: a womanish petulance; womanish disregard for the rules. Applied to men it suggests traits culturally deemed inappropriate for men and (in what is now often regarded as a sexist notion) to be found in women: a womanish shrillness in his speech; a womanish way of stamping his foot in anger. See also female.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of womanly
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English wommanli(che); see woman, -ly
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It's first edition began with an explanation that its objective was to cover "the whole field of womanly action".
From BBC • Apr. 15, 2025
This strict minister paterfamilias disapproved of his violist son, and in the wake of loss, Davis finds solace in music and womanly identity, slowly healing from estrangement.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2025
They were more womanly than girlish, more modern than pinup.
From New York Times • Feb. 14, 2023
No longer holding herself responsible for what happened to her childish body, adolescent reputation and womanly psyche, Febos got free.
From Washington Post • Mar. 27, 2021
It was not often that the septa was privileged to instruct a royal princess in the womanly arts, as she had said when the queen brought Myrcella to join them.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
