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WOMANLY
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I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Befitting or characteristic of a woman especially a mature woman
Example:
womanly virtues of gentleness and compassion
Synonyms:
feminine; womanly
Classified under:
Similar:
matronly (befitting or characteristic of a fully mature woman)
womanlike (resembling a woman)
Antonym:
unwomanly (not womanly)
Derivation:
woman (an adult female person (as opposed to a man))
womanliness (the trait of being womanly; having the characteristics of an adult female)
Context examples:
Meg had spent the time in working as well as waiting, growing womanly in character, wise in housewifely arts, and prettier than ever, for love is a great beautifier.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
It was a queenly presence—tall, graceful, and intensely womanly.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
They served me with the ale, though I suspect it was not the Genuine Stunning; and the landlord's wife, opening the little half-door of the bar, and bending down, gave me my money back, and gave me a kiss that was half admiring and half compassionate, but all womanly and good, I am sure.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
Then it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the centre of the little area of light.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
I noted Oofty-Oofty, holding the end of a bandage and looking upon the scene, his velvety and luminous eyes glistening in the light like a deer’s eyes, and yet I knew the barbaric devil that lurked in his breast and belied all the softness and tenderness, almost womanly, of his face and form.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
As she was a womanly little woman, the maternal instinct was very strong, and she was entirely absorbed in her children, to the utter exclusion of everything and everybody else.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Meg, my dear, I value the womanly skill which keeps home happy more than white hands or fashionable accomplishments.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Amy tried to please, and succeeded, for she was grateful for the many pleasures he gave her, and repaid him with the little services to which womanly women know how to lend an indescribable charm.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
As they sat sewing together, Jo discovered how much improved her sister Meg was, how well she could talk, how much she knew about good, womanly impulses, thoughts, and feelings, how happy she was in husband and children, and how much they were all doing for each other.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
For Amy's face was full of the soft brightness which betokens a peaceful heart, her voice had a new tenderness in it, and the cool, prim carriage was changed to a gentle dignity, both womanly and winning.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
