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

Ma always wore her own hair in a low bun, and I’d half expected the hairdo to be matronly like hers.

From Literature

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

From Salon

There was Lydia, a half-mad, matronly Portuguese divorcee with a teenage daughter.

From Salon

The sweet little shrug that the grown-up, matronly Dakota Johnson gives to Dismukes, as he gawks at her younger self strutting around the stage, makes the entire sketch worthwhile.

From New York Times

Then he saw what the figure was wearing: a shapeless dress that stretched below her knees, a matronly oatmeal-colored shawl around her shoulders.

From Literature