MANLY (manlier, manliest)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: manlier    , manliest   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does manly mean? 

• MANLY (adjective)
  The adjective MANLY has 2 senses:

1. possessing qualities befitting a man

2. characteristic of a man

  Familiarity information: MANLY used as an adjective is rare.

• MANLY (adverb)
  The adverb MANLY has 1 sense:

1. in a manful manner; with qualities thought to befit a man

  Familiarity information: MANLY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MANLY (adjective)

Comparative: manlier   
Superlative: manliest   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Possessing qualities befitting a man

Synonyms:

manful; manlike; manly

Similar:

man-sized (calling for the strength of a man)

Also:

masculine (associated with men and not with women)

Antonym:

unmanly (not possessing qualities befitting a man)

Derivation:

man (an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman))

man (an adult male person who has a manly character (virile and courageous competent))

manliness (the trait of being manly; having the characteristics of an adult male)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Characteristic of a man

Synonyms:

male; manful; manlike; manly; virile

Context example:

manly sports

Similar:

masculine (associated with men and not with women)

Derivation:

man (an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman))

man (an adult male person who has a manly character (virile and courageous competent))

manliness (the trait of being manly; having the characteristics of an adult male)

• MANLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a manful manner; with qualities thought to befit a man

Synonyms:

manfully; manly

Context example:

having said her say Peggy manfully shouldered her burden and prepared to break up yet another home

 Context examples 

As he turned aside his face a minute, I saw a tear slide from under the sealed eyelid, and trickle down the manly cheek.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

I never miss a Rugby match if I can help it, for it is the manliest game we have left.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"Which side won the last match, Teddy?" inquired Jo, who persisted in feeling an interest in manly sports despite her nineteen years.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

I pressed his manly hand again, and told him I would charge myself to do this as well as I could.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

There are noble men in the world who are clean and true and manly.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Yours sincerely.' That is the true manly style; that is a complete brother's letter.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

He is a fine, manly fellow.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I promise you that I will gladly do all for him that I can—all to make his life strong and manly, and your life a happy one.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

At last, however, she found a boy who was handsome and manly and wise beyond his years.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

This puerile feature in a nature which was conspicuously manly had often given rise to comment and conjecture.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)