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manly
[ man-lee ]
adjective
- having qualities traditionally ascribed to men, as strength or bravery.
Antonyms: ,
- pertaining to or suitable for males:
manly sports.
adverb
- Archaic. in a manly manner.
manly
/ ˈæԱɪ /
adjective
- possessing qualities, such as vigour or courage, generally regarded as appropriate to or typical of a man; masculine
- characteristic of or befitting a man
a manly sport
Derived Forms
- ˈԱԱ, noun
Other Word Forms
- l·Ա noun
Word History and Origins
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
In fact, I think those gendered stereotypes — Americans as virile and manly; Europeans as emasculated or effeminate — go back much further than that, and were inhaled by nearly all American men of Trump’s generation.
He's always wanted a war so he could demonstrate his manly power to the world as a military leader but he is also a coward who would rather buy his way out of any jam.
It seems to make them feel very strong and manly.
The press was completely beside themselves, however, admiring his manly visage and it took a very long time for the country to begin to see him differently.
But at the same appearance, he volunteered a compliment guaranteed to endear him to the president-elect, praising Trump’s “manly” reaction to a July assassination attempt that left the then-candidate with a minor ear injury.
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About This Word
does manly mean?
Manly means having qualities traditionally associated with men, such as courage or strength.
Manly is typically used to describe a man who has qualities (or who display qualities) that are generally considered to be characteristic of a man or manhood, as in He was dressed as a manly lumberjack with a thick beard and big muscles.
It can also be used to describe things that involve, are intended for, are popular among, or are thought to be appropriate for men, as in My grandfather enjoyed manly hobbies like hunting.
Of course, all of these associations are based on gender stereotypes that are often sexist and exclusionary. Manly implies qualities, attributes, and interests that are not exclusive to men, and that do not apply to every man. Anyone can be courageous and strong. Anyone can be good at and enjoy sports or outdoor activities. For these reasons, many people avoid using adjectives like manly and object to their use.
Example: He calls himself a manly man who enjoys manly things like powerlifting and beef stew.
Where does manly come from?
The first records of the word manly come from before 900. The adjective -ly is often used to form adverbs, but it is used here to form an adjective. It means “having the qualities of,” making manly mean “having the qualities a man.”
When used to describe males, manly is nearly always used positively to indicate that they have desirable traits or qualities. When it’s used to describe a woman, however, manly is more often used to accuse her of “acting like a man” or having the traits of a man, implying that this is a bad thing.
The word mannish is also used this way. Words like this are based on society’s concept of gender roles, which are ingrained stereotypes not tied to biology but instead based on traditional notions of how men and women should act.
Did you know … ?
are some other forms related to manly?
- manliness (noun)
are some synonyms for manly?
are some words that share a root or word element with manly?
are some words that often get used in discussing manly?
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