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

That shooting isn’t very well known, but it’s been a talking point at the convention this week as conservatives seek to tie Trump to Roosevelt, who carefully cultivated a manly image. —Madeleine Heim, Austin American-Statesman, 20 July 2024

The Founding Fathers wanted to civilize a country made up of institutional racists, rabid misogynists and bible-thumping Christians who soon added myths of manly gunslingers and stalwart pioneers to the cultural identity. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 20 Nov. 2024

Brookfield 7-0 206 T7 M KNOW THIS: The Bobcats, bless their hearts, are committed to the manly discipline of the running arts. —Ned Griffen, Hartford Courant, 4 Nov. 2024

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

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