manly

[man-lee]

adjective

manlier, manliest 

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

   Antonyms: cowardly, weak

2. pertaining to or suitable for males.

   manly sports.

adverb

1. Archaic.,  in a manly manner.

manly

/ ˈmænlɪ /

adjective

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

2. characteristic of or befitting a man

   a manly sport

Other Word Forms

• manliness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of manly¹

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

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Captain Babushkinov blinked and wiped a manly tear from his eye.

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Especially now, she might have added, after surviving his manly shipboard adventure: He was suntanned and lean muscled, and hummed sea chanteys under his breath in the moonlight....

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During the meal, Lady Constance made bright, careless remarks about shopping and the weather, and the admiral told manly tales of exploration and danger in distant lands.

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Not because she loved her mother, but because she left Gibby with all the chores that her father and brother thought they were too manly to complete.

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“It was all based on stereotypes,” he said, and anathema to gay kids like himself who were teased for not being “manly” enough.

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Related Words

• male 
• manful 
• masculine 
• virile 

When To Use

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.