womanly

American  

[woom-uhn-lee] / ˈwʊm ən li /

adjective

1. like or befitting a woman; feminine; not masculine or girlish.

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adverb

1. in the manner of, or befitting, a woman.

womanly British  

/ ˈwʊmənlɪ /

adjective

1. possessing qualities, such as warmth, attractiveness, etc, generally regarded as typical of a woman, esp a mature woman

2. characteristic of or belonging to a woman

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Related Words

Womanly, womanlike, womanish mean having the traits or qualities that a culture regards as especially characteristic of or ideally appropriate to adult women. Womanly is usually a term of approval, suggesting the display of traits admired by the society, such as self-possession, modesty, motherliness, and calm competence: a womanly consideration for others; with womanly skill and efficiency. Womanlike may be a neutral synonym for womanly, or it may suggest mild disapproval: a womanlike dignity; womanlike tears and recriminations. Womanish is usually disparaging; applied to women it suggests traits not generally socially approved: a womanish petulance; womanish disregard for the rules. Applied to men it suggests traits culturally deemed inappropriate for men and (in what is now often regarded as a sexist notion) to be found in women: a womanish shrillness in his speech; a womanish way of stamping his foot in anger. See also female.

Other Word Forms

• half-womanly adjective
• unwomanly adjective
• womanliness noun
• womanness noun

Etymology

Origin of womanly

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English wommanli(che); woman, -ly

Example Sentences

It's first edition began with an explanation that its objective was to cover "the whole field of womanly action".

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2025

This strict minister paterfamilias disapproved of his violist son, and in the wake of loss, Davis finds solace in music and womanly identity, slowly healing from estrangement.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2025

It starts off moving with sweet musical precision and turns into something more wild, womanly and beautiful, needling into male-female power dynamics and rebirth.

From New York Times • Feb. 18, 2022

No longer holding herself responsible for what happened to her childish body, adolescent reputation and womanly psyche, Febos got free.

From Washington Post • Mar. 27, 2021

After his displeasure had reached a certain point, the three of us rubbed our bruises and called ourselves to a womanly sort of meeting.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• female
• feminine