adjective
-
possessing qualities, such as vigour or courage, generally regarded as appropriate to or typical of a man; masculine
-
characteristic of or befitting a man
a manly sport
Usage
What does manly mean? Manly means having qualities traditionally associated with men, such as courage or strength. Manly is typically used to describe a man who has qualities (or who display qualities) that are generally considered to be characteristic of a man or manhood, as in He was dressed as a manly lumberjack with a thick beard and big muscles. It can also be used to describe things that involve, are intended for, are popular among, or are thought to be appropriate for men, as in My grandfather enjoyed manly hobbies like hunting. Of course, all of these associations are based on gender stereotypes that are often sexist and exclusionary. Manly implies qualities, attributes, and interests that are not exclusive to men, and that do not apply to every man. Anyone can be courageous and strong. Anyone can be good at and enjoy sports or outdoor activities. For these reasons, many people avoid using adjectives like manly and object to their use. Example: He calls himself a manly man who enjoys manly things like powerlifting and beef stew.
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Adjectives
Etymology
Origin of manly
before 900; Middle English (adj., adv.); Old English manlīc (adj.), manlīce (adv.). See man, -ly
Explanation
Someone who's manly acts in a typically masculine way. If you live in a log cabin, split your own wood, and occasionally scare away bears, go ahead and call yourself manly. Manly attributes are usually heroic ones like bravery and strength. Despite the fact that many women also have these characteristics, it's still common to describe them as manly. Manly activities might include fishing, hunting, and other rugged, outdoorsy sports. In the thirteenth century, this adjective simply meant "characteristic of a human."
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.
See Examples For:
The Miramar Military Academy — first operating on the Venice waterfront and then in Redondo Beach — advertised itself as “an ideal school for manly boys.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 2026
The perception that we are in trouble may partly explain the manly appeal of these shows.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 12, 2026
Trying to look manly and tough when your entire regime, from the top on down, consists of shifty characters with a wide range of obvious personality disorders might seem like a categorical error.
From Salon ● Mar. 8, 2026
Mr. Powell radiates such manly American likability that it’s bizarrely out of character for him to play this ruthless schemer, even as an impish chancer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 19, 2026
Our eyes met, and all the “Sir” melted out of that manly heart as he gave me his hand.
From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
This virile display is apparently part of a sub-trend in gender reveal nation: making the parties manlier.
From Slate ● Mar. 28, 2018
Sitters would often use the opportunity as a sort of wish fulfilment, posing as someone wealthier, manlier, more interesting.
From Economist ● Aug. 17, 2017
After all, they don't come much manlier than Manchester United Methuselah Ryan Giggs and he's hawking a yoga DVD.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 26, 2011
There never lived a finer, manlier man than Dr. Barbour.
From Time Magazine Archive
But England was an atmosphere which compelled him to a manlier course.
From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 58, No. 362, December 1845 by Various
“We have to be the manliest of men,” Tipton said.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 4, 2020
Somehow, a few months ago on deadline, I found myself digging through a subreddit dedicated to someone who seemed like he must be the manliest man ever to walk the planet.
From Slate ● Sep. 6, 2018
The “Kiss” video confirmed it: slim and made-up, this singer was challenging our limited sense of “man,” yet he was the manliest thing I’d ever seen—in an asymmetrical half-top.
From Salon ● Apr. 22, 2016
For a place that trades in sausages and chili — two of the manliest foods this side of raw animal flesh — Meats & Foods displays a restraint usually found in more refined restaurants.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 18, 2015
“Bear with me. This is going to be the manliest thing you’ve ever heard.”
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
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.
