Nearby Words

manly

[man-lee] Origin

man·ly

[man-lee] adjective, -li·er, -li·est, adverb
adjective
1.
having qualities traditionally ascribed to men, as strength or bravery.
2.
pertaining to or suitable for males: manly sports.
adverb
3.
Archaic. in a manly manner.

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Manly is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.

Origin:
before 900; Middle English (adj., adv.); Old English manlīc (adj.), manlīce (adv.). See man1, -ly

man·li·ness, noun


Manly, manful, mannish mean having the traits or qualities that a culture regards as especially characteristic of or ideally appropriate to adult men. Manly is usually a term of approval, suggesting traits admired by society, such as determination, decisiveness, and steadiness: a manly acceptance of the facts; manly firmness of character. Manful, also a term of approval, stresses qualities such as courage, strength, and fortitude: a manful effort to overcome great odds. Mannish is most often used derogatorily in reference to the traits, manners, or accouterments of a woman that are thought to be more appropriate to or typical of a man: a mannish abruptness in her speech; She wore a severely mannish suit. See also male.


1. weak, cowardly.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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World English Dictionary
manly (ˈmænlɪ)
 
adj , -lier, -liest
1.  possessing qualities, such as vigour or courage, generally regarded as appropriate to or typical of a man; masculine
2.  characteristic of or befitting a man: a manly sport
 
'manliness
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

manly
c.1200, "human," from man (n.). Sense of "possessing virtues proper to a male person" is from early 13c. Meaning "masculine" is attested from late 14c. Related: Manliness.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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