adjective
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possessing qualities, such as vigour or courage, generally regarded as appropriate to or typical of a man; masculine
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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:
In Gillis fans saw an everyman who was more complicated than he looked: a beer-drinking history nerd with jokes exploring the spectrum between manly and “gay,” liberal and “American!”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
Actually, what can be more manly than killing a cow and spreading its fat on your face?”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026
A trio of comedies about lost, affluent white men grapples with the manly conundrums of our times—and paints a troubled picture of modern men.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 13, 2026
Rachel Mason says when she posts about TRT she finds "many women are so scared to start testosterone, they worry they will become manly, develop facial hair, lose themselves."
From BBC ● Feb. 14, 2026
In a desperate attempt to make them look more manly, he used a Severing Charm on the ruff and cuffs.
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
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
He would probably consider being alive manlier and less humiliating than being dead, right?
From Slate
He was in sharp contrast with her own white daintiness as he stood there grim and forbidding, but she thought she had never looked upon a manlier man.
From The Song of the Wolf by Frank Mayer
“We have to be the manliest of men,” Tipton said.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 4, 2020
Now imagine Lennon has steered your ship safely through a horrific storm, lashing himself to the captain’s chair and singing “the foulest, filthiest, manliest sea shanty” through the night.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 21, 2018
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
“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.
