ladylike

[ ley-dee-lahyk ]

adjective

1. like a lady.

   Synonyms: courteous, well-mannered, well-bred

2. befitting a lady:

   in a ladylike manner.

   Synonyms: courteous, well-mannered, well-bred

ladylike

/ ˈleɪdɪˌlaɪk /

adjective

1. like or befitting a lady in manners and bearing; refined and fastidious
2. derogatory.
   (of a man) effeminate

Derived Forms

• ˈladyˌlikeness, noun

Other Words From

• lady·likeness noun
• un·lady·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ladylike¹

First recorded in 1580–90; lady + -like

Example Sentences

She was ladylike but prone to cracking dirty jokes and carrying a flask of whiskey, like any good ski-town skid.

From Outside Online

Meanwhile Kerrigan was untouchable—her refusal to address the controversy further served to highlight her ladylike demeanor.

From The Daily Beast

Their style was unassuming: slender, structured, solid, and ladylike.

From The Daily Beast

Fetching, gracious, ladylike, she has devoted her adult life to taking care of Mitt and the boys.

From The Daily Beast

Kate topped off the ladylike look with a pair of black heels and a Whiteley hat.

From The Daily Beast

She has smiling blue eyes behind square gray glasses and a ladylike grin that punctuates most of her encounters.

From The Daily Beast

There were plenty of ladylike things girls could do, she said, but did not give herself the trouble to specify.

From Project Gutenberg

If a girl is not well trained in ladylike demeanor before arriving at the college age she is, of course, hopeless.

From Project Gutenberg

All her relations with life and society would be blameless, orthodox, ladylike and thoroughly English.

From Project Gutenberg

Who is it that improves men an' makes thim more ladylike, an' thin quits thim, but th' ladies?

From Project Gutenberg

She appeared to have put it by with a deprecating, ladylike smile—a plea of being too soft and bland for experience.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• genteel