womanly
Americanadjective
adverb
adjective
-
possessing qualities, such as warmth, attractiveness, etc, generally regarded as typical of a woman, esp a mature woman
-
characteristic of or belonging to a woman
Synonym Usage
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
Etymology
Origin of womanly
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English wommanli(che); see woman, -ly
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At Cornering Harvey, the majority of attendees had heard about the workshop through the School of Womanly Arts.
From New York Times • Jan. 20, 2018
I read “The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding” and “Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding” and I was convinced that my baby and I would be naturals at it.
From Time • Nov. 29, 2014
Womanly instinct constrained her to refuse that final waltz: but it seemed to her as if she were making a tremendous sacrifice in so doing.
From Phantom Fortune, a Novel by Braddon, M. E. (Mary Elizabeth)
Womanly vanity must triumph, no matter how dearly the victory may be purchased.
From Woman As She Should Be or, Agnes Wiltshire by Herbert, Mary E.
Womanly thoughtful, she moved his head a little, and straightened the wig upon his poor forehead.
From Saracinesca by Crawford, F. Marion (Francis Marion)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
