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

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 Project Gutenberg

Surely my old-womanish babbling has not upset you like this!

From Project Gutenberg

Again, there is no priest who does not confess that he was distracted, or failed to read his Preparatoria, or other old-womanish trifles of the kind.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg