unmanly

[ uhn-man-lee ]

adjective

, un·man·li·er, un·man·li·est.

1. not manly; not characteristic of or befitting a man; weak, timid, or cowardly.
2. effeminate.

unmanly

/ ʌnˈmænlɪ /

adjective

1. not masculine or virile
2. ignoble, cowardly, or dishonourable

Derived Forms

• unˈmanliness, noun

Other Words From

• un·manli·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unmanly¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; un- ¹, manly

Example Sentences

He caught himself in the act of listening to you too credulously—and that seemed to him unmanly and dishonorable.

From Project Gutenberg

But it was base and unmanly, to make capital for sport of the weakness of a woman—a child, compared with himself!

From Project Gutenberg

I felt sometimes like a person wishing to cry, but I thought it would be unmanly to cry.

From Project Gutenberg

Many of them also produce an altogether unmanly, effeminate, bashful, and timid impression.

From Project Gutenberg

You—youll have to excuse me, captain, for seeming so unmanly weak, the doctor proffered shakily.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• unmanful
• unmanlike