old-womanish

American  

[ohld-woom-uh-nish] / ˈoʊldˈwʊm ə nɪʃ /

adjective

1. Sometimes Offensive. having characteristics considered typical of an old woman, as excessive fussiness or timidity.

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Sensitive Note

This term is sometimes perceived as insulting because it reinforces stereotypes.

Other Word Forms

• old-womanishness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of old-womanish

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

old-womanish

Poor little darling, the girls made fun of it because it was so ugly and old-womanish.

From Little Maid Marian by Blanchard, Amy Ella

Whether her hair was abundant or not no one could tell, for an old-womanish cap with narrow ruffle so covered her head that only a faint blonde aureole could be seen beneath it.

From Miss Theodora A West End Story by Reed, Helen Leah

You had on a brown cotton frock, made in an old-womanish grave fashion, and you were looking down at me.

From Vesty of the Basins by Greene, Sarah P. McLean

You ridiculous grannie," Elizabeth once said to her, for she and Cedric often called her grannie, probably from her careful, loving, old-womanish ways, "do you suppose such a rara avis exists in Earlsfield or Rotherwood?

From Herb of Grace by Carey, Rosa Nouchette

Minima's fresh young fancies were too droll to resist, especially in combination with her shrewd, old-womanish knowledge of many things of which I was ignorant.

From The Doctor's Dilemma by Stretton, Hesba