manly
manly Lexical Profile
manly Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Having or denoting those good qualities traditionally associated with men, such as courage, strength, and resolute character.
"He was admired by his peers for his manly bearing and unwavering resolve during the crisis."
Befitting or characteristic of a man rather than a child or woman, as in pastimes, attire, or physical traits.
"The novel portrays rowing and mountaineering as classic manly pursuits of the Victorian era."
• adverb
In a brave, resolute, or masculine manner (now dated or literary).
"The young apprentice bore the heavy workload manly and without a single complaint."
Word Nuance & Usage
"Manly" generally carries positive or admiring connotations of strength, courage, and nobility, whereas "mannish" is often used disparagingly to describe a woman whose appearance or behavior resembles that of a man.
• Rhymes for manly
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English manli, descending from Old English manlic ('human, typical of a man'), formed from mann ('man') and the suffix -lic ('-ly').