manly

1 of 2

adverb

man·​ly ˈman-lē 

: in a manly manner

manly

2 of 2

adjective

manlier; manliest

1

: having qualities traditionally associated with a man : strong, virile

2

: appropriate in character to a man

manly sports

Synonyms

Adjective

• male
• man-size
• man-sized
• manlike
• mannish
• masculine
• virile

Examples of manly in a Sentence

Adjective

He wasn't manly enough to fight.

He has a deep, manly voice.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

There are men without shirts and men with long white beards doing manly things on the side of a country road. —Sarah Jones, Vulture, 15 July 2024

Come for the unraveling of manly sanities, stay for Dafoe's farts and a scene-stealing seagull. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024

Just about every memory of his father and uncle turns on the question of masculinity, how manly qualities must triumph over the pitiful feminine. —Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2024

Starting with Dennis Hopper’s The Last Movie (1971), Kristofferson brought his manly, craggy persona to the fore in such films as Sam Peckinpah’s Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973), the Michael Cimino debacle Heaven’s Gate (1980) and, as a corrupt sheriff, John Sayles’ Lone Star (1996). —Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English manli "befitting a man, bravely, resolutely, courteously," going back to Old English manliche, from man man entry 1 + -liche -ly entry 2

Adjective

Middle English manli "human, male, brave, resolute, noble," from man man entry 1 + -li -ly entry 1

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

manly

adjective

man·​ly

ˈman-lē

manlier; manliest

1

: having qualities usually expected of a man : strong

2

: appropriate in character to a man

manly sports

manliness noun