ladylike
adjective
la·dy·like
ˈlā-dē-ˌlīk 
1
: of a kind traditionally considered suitable to or attractive for a woman
Mrs. Douglas arrived for the March 1st meeting at park headquarters wearing her white spring coat, her ladylike Panama hat, and a single strand of white beads.—
Dava Sobel
Dava SobelYves Saint Laurent gives a perfectly proper, ladylike suit a powerful punch by cutting it in python.—The New York Times Magazine
The New York Times MagazineCharlotte, who is known to be a tomboy, topped off her ladylike look with a matching bow in her hair.—Aurora Bosotti
Aurora Bosotti2
: having or showing the appearance or good manners traditionally associated with aristocratic women
her polite, ladylike mother
ladylike elegance
… it didn't seem quite ladylike to say something like that, straight out.—Katherine Paterson
Katherine PatersonJill was putting ladylike bites of turnip in her mouth and washing them down with long, quiet sips of water.—Molly Tripp
Molly Tripp3
: feeling or showing too much concern about elegance or propriety
This plot turns on the sisters' ladylike reluctance to examine the question of their kittens' sex too directly …—June Howard
June Howard4
: having qualities traditionally associated with a woman : womanly
And Vincent hired a voice coach to teach her to talk like a guy … . Ned also came with a dusting of fake stubble for Vincent's smooth, pink, ladylike cheeks …—Lev Grossman
Lev GrossmanEach step he takes, delicate, cautious, even ladylike, the step, perhaps, of a man whose eyesight is not altogether reliable …—Robert Kantwell
Robert KantwellExamples of ladylike in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kendall Jenner has crafted a simple and refined off-duty model style, looking often to The Row for individual pieces and accessories, and finding her rhythm in both high-low moments and more ladylike looks.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2025
Always angling to be the good daughter, the obedient one, the ladylike one, the prettier one.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 22 Mar. 2025
Our favorite — and more modern — iterations of the ladylike look came in the form of slouchy boots at Isabel Marant, mismatched polka prints at Rokh, and seeing-double-like patterns at Vivienne Westwood.
—Irina Grechko, refinery29.com, 13 Mar. 2025
There were also influences from Karl Lagerfeld’s work, who was Fendi’s creative director for 54 years until his death in 2019, including ladylike silhouettes and some of the patterns on the leather.
—Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ladylike
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Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2025
Always angling to be the good daughter, the obedient one, the ladylike one, the prettier one.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 22 Mar. 2025
Our favorite — and more modern — iterations of the ladylike look came in the form of slouchy boots at Isabel Marant, mismatched polka prints at Rokh, and seeing-double-like patterns at Vivienne Westwood.
—Irina Grechko, refinery29.com, 13 Mar. 2025
There were also influences from Karl Lagerfeld’s work, who was Fendi’s creative director for 54 years until his death in 2019, including ladylike silhouettes and some of the patterns on the leather.
—Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ladylike
Cite this Entry
“Ladylike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ladylike. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ladylike
adjective
la·dy·like
ˈlād-ē-ˌlīk
1
: resembling a lady in appearance or manners
2
: suitable to a lady
ladylike behavior
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