matronly

American  

[mey-truhn-lee] / ˈmeɪ trən li /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a matron; maturely dignified; stately.

2. characteristic of or suitable for a matron.

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ˈmatronly British  

/ ˈmeɪtrənlɪ /

adjective

1. of, characteristic of, or suitable for a matron; staid and dignified in a manner associated with a middle-aged, usually plump, woman

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Other Word Forms

• matronliness noun

Etymology

Origin of matronly

First recorded in 1650–60; matron + -ly

Example Sentences

But that doesn’t mean that she has to look matronly, either.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026

Manic, glitch-like tics betray his Suzannah’s matronly composition, and she shocks herself with her indignity.

From New York Times • Mar. 20, 2024

Out is the matronly decorum that characterized Elizabeth’s reign.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 24, 2023

But Barbara Bush wasn’t thrilled with Abrams’s matronly portrait of her.

From Washington Post • Sep. 7, 2022

It was the ghost’s beloved face, matronly and broad, with her round red “happiness cheeks,” but there was nothing happy to be found in her affect, as flat as all the ghosts in Minya’s army.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor