maidenly

[meyd-n-lee]

adjective

1. pertaining to, characteristic of, or befitting a maiden.

   a maidenly blush.

maidenly

/ ˈmeɪdənlɪ /

adjective

1. of or befitting a maiden

Other Word Forms

• maidenliness noun
• unmaidenliness noun
• unmaidenly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of maidenly¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; maiden, -ly

Example Sentences

“I’ll try, but it was a very ungentlemanly thing to do, I didn’t think you could be so sly and malicious, Laurie,” replied Meg, trying to hide her maidenly confusion under a gravely reproachful air.

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And it's adapted with a heightened, soap opera-y sense of dramatic irony conveyed through longing glances, annoyed walking, and maidenly sighing.

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In defiance of maidenly decorum and racial taboos, she asks Jack in for tea.

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Last year’s sleeper trend with its treacly allusions to butter churns, quilting bees and starchily kitted-out sister wives, has given way to something less like a costume, less aggressively maidenly.

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To him Sara White exuded “an intense something concealed by an air of supreme innocence and maidenly reserve.”

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Related Words

• clean 
• decent 
• fresh 
• good 
• honest 
• true