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.

---

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

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

From The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

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 Rosa Nouchette Carey

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 Sarah P. McLean Greene

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

From The Bat by Avery Hopwood

When I mention his weakness I have allusion to a bizarre old-womanish superstition which beset him.

From The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 3 by Edgar Allan Poe