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View synonyms for manly

manly

[ man-lee ]

adjective

, man·li·er, man·li·est.
  1. having qualities traditionally ascribed to men, as strength or bravery.

    Antonyms: cowardly, weak

  2. pertaining to or suitable for males:

    manly sports.



adverb

  1. Archaic. in a manly manner.

manly

/ ˈmænlɪ /

adjective

  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



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Derived Forms

  • ˈmanliness, noun

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Other Words From

  • manli·ness noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of manly1

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

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Synonym Study

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. male.

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Example Sentences

There are many others getting their footing, like Androgyny and Original Tomboy, all manly duds for anyone.

It's not really sexy but it's hot to watch men doing manly things.

For a short time there was Zima Gold, which was slightly amber and almost had bourbon like taste to it — for the manly Zima man.

Many found this to echo a Stepford Wife mentality of women: Women like stories and language, not impersonal, cold, manly numbers!

But this is the kind of role, both manly and emotional, that launches an actor into the stratosphere.

The other was the spirited portrait of Baron von Friedericks, a happy combination of cavalier and soldier in its manly strength.

I cannot call that peculiarly manly, which are the peculiar pursuits of the lowest of our species.

A marvel of manly strength and grace and beauty, thirty years of age or so, and faultlessly dressed.

He was a manly young fellow, a sportsman and renowned at cricket, and she was amiable and pretty, a little blonde beauty.

This was the point of compass revealed by the astrologer as most favourable to the young candidate for manly honours.

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