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

See Examples For:

old-womanish

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

From The Bat by Hopwood, Avery

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 Miss Theodora A West End Story by Reed, Helen Leah

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 Works of Martin Luther With Introductions and Notes (Volume I) by Luther, Martin

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

From Little Maid Marian by Blanchard, Amy Ella

He was a successful collector of almost everything but money, and during a great part of his life he had been an invalid, and he had grown, as he laughingly confessed, very old-womanish.

From Deephaven and Selected Stories & Sketches by Jewett, Sarah Orne