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

The companionship of Dale's bright youth would keep her from getting old-womanish if anything could.

From The Bat by Hopwood, Avery

I suppose you've come about the gas bill," she said at length, with an old-womanish air, "but it's no use.

From The Empire Annual for Girls, 1911 by Buckland, A. R. (Augustus Robert)

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

"Eh! tha' art a queer, old-womanish thing," she said.

From The Secret Garden by Burnett, Frances Hodgson