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manly Definition

manly (man′lē)

adjective manlier -·lier, manliest -·li·est

  1. having the qualities generally regarded as those that a man should have; virile; strong, brave, resolute, honorable, etc.
  2. fit for a man; masculine manly sports

Etymology: ME: see man & -ly

adverb

Obsolete in a manly way

Related Forms:

manly Synonyms

manly

modif.

masculine, virile, strong, brave, courageous, undaunted, fearless, firm, staunch, dignified, noble, honorable, valiant, valorous, high-spirited, plucky, lionhearted, intrepid, gallant, resolute, bold, macho, stouthearted, confident, self-reliant, manful; see also masculine 2.

Antonyms cowardly*, timid*, effeminate. See syn. study at male.male.

manly Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • hug: Peter Mack bounds down the aisle of the Arts Center and envelopes Tony Howard in a manly hug.
  • smell: Posted by: the manly smell | January 1, 2004 02:40 PM Happy New Year!
  • virtue: Looking myself impartially over, I believe that is my only manly virtue.
  • pursuit: Impress him by Asking him questions about manly pursuits, something like 'how do car radiators work?
  • beauty: Then, when I was thus put in possession of the facts, she asked my judgment on that type of manly beauty.
  • fellow: He was a fine manly fellow, and highly respected in the neighborhood.

Modifying Another Word

  • very: It didn't seem a very manly thing to do: he couldn't say why.
  • really: You see to some a man must look like a Rugby Player or WWE Wrestler with huge muscles to be really manly.
  • too: I tried to talk Brian into it but he was far too manly for such silly theatricals.
  • not: Lets face it; it is just not manly for a man to wear jewelry.
  • rather: Similarly, Lister's history includes a rather manly grandmother and a father who owned a dog named Hannah.
  • appropriately: Again, put down the book and consider something appropriately manly, such as shooting wild boar in a thicket.
manly Quotes

To do nothing and get something, formed a boy's ideal of a manly career.

—Disraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield

There is nothing so bad or so good that you will not find Englishmen doing it; but you will never find an Englishman in the wrong. He does everything on principle. He fights you on patriotic principles; he robs you on business principles; he enslaves you on imperial principles; he bullies you on manly principles; he supportshiskingon loyal principles and cuts off hishead on republican principles.

—Shaw, George Bernard

For my part, I will have only those glorious manly pleasures of being very drunk and very slovenly.

—Wycherley,William