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

Scapin is one of very few women in the manly meat business. —Marcia Desanctis, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2025

Le Gaillard, 52, cuts a thick, manly figure, with an indented chin, dark eyes, and a receding hairline. —Elena Clavarino, airmail.news, 8 June 2024

And women who tried to build muscle were seen as manly or unnatural. —Danielle Friedman, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025

After a young man is possessed in a séance by the spirits of kamikaze pilots: His usual rather weak features had taken on a manly, resolute look. —Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025

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

Rhymes for manly

• unmanly

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