manly

[ man-lee ]

/ ˈmæn li /

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adjective, man·li·er, man·li·est.

having qualities traditionally ascribed to men, as strength or bravery.

pertaining to or suitable for males: manly sports.

adverb

Archaic. in a manly manner.

Nearby words

Origin of manly

before 900; Middle English (adj., adv.); Old English manlīc (adj.), manlīce (adv.). See man¹, -ly

SYNONYMS FOR manly

Manly, manful, mannish mean having the traits or qualities that a culture regards as especially characteristic of or ideally appropriate to adult men. Manly is usually a term of approval, suggesting traits admired by society, such as determination, decisiveness, and steadiness: a manly acceptance of the facts; manly firmness of character. Manful, also a term of approval, stresses qualities such as courage, strength, and fortitude: a manful effort to overcome great odds. Mannish is most often used derogatorily in reference to the traits, manners, or accouterments of a woman that are thought to be more appropriate to or typical of a man: a mannish abruptness in her speech; She wore a severely mannish suit. See also male.

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ANTONYMS FOR manly

1. weak, cowardly.

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Related formsman·li·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for manliness

Later, after taking his own shirt off in a supposed show of manliness, Dre freaked out when Andre Jr. copied him.
Why ‘Black-ish’ Has a Gay Problem|Tim Teeman|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Another tradition of manliness would point them toward discipline, sacrifice, and self-denial.
Alleged Santa Barbara Killer Elliot Rodger and the Twisted Cult of Modern Masculinity|James Poulos|May 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The reason, Foster argues, is that impotence implies a lack of virility, a lack of manliness.
What the Sex Lives of the Founding Fathers Reveal About Us|Eric Herschthal|February 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Perched atop a mountain of wavy, pulled-back hair is a mangled ball of manliness, a holdover from the days of the samurai.
Joakim Noah Has the Manliest Bun Ever|Sujay Kumar|May 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST

I doubt you could have prevented the killing of their female partners by redefining their sense of manliness.
Pundits Pin Blame for Murderer Jovan Belcher on Everything But Him|Buzz Bissinger|December 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Lady Jane Grey, when on the scaffold, yielded nothing in manliness to the others.
Life of Cicero|Anthony Trollope
In spite of his conceded mentality and manliness he gave the impression of being something of an intellectual sharper.
Marse Henry (Vol. 2)|Henry Watterson
Some are of opinion that we must show our manliness by continuing the struggle.
The Peace Negotiations|J. D. Kestell
All that he had said as to the manliness of conquering grief had been wise enough.
The Duke's Children|Anthony Trollope
He was not coercive nor restrictive; he was an inspiration to effort and to manliness of conduct.
Dickens As an Educator|James L. (James Laughlin) Hughes

British Dictionary definitions for manliness

manly

/ (ˈmænlɪ) /

adjective -lier or -liest

possessing qualities, such as vigour or courage, generally regarded as appropriate to or typical of a man; masculine

characteristic of or befitting a mana manly sport

Derived Formsmanliness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for manliness

manliness

late 14c., from manly + -ness.

manly

adj.

c.1200, "human; characteristic of human beings," from man (n.) + -ly (1). Sense of "possessing virtues proper to a male person" (resoluteness, steadfastness, reliability) is from early 13c. Meaning "masculine" is attested from late 14c. Old English had werlic "male, masculine, manly."

manly

adjective, man·li·er, man·li·est.

adverb

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Origin of manly

Examples from the Web for manliness

manly

adjective -lier or -liest

manliness

manly