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Girlish: meaning, definitions and examples

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girlish

 

[ ˈɡɜːrlɪʃ ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

behavior or traits

The term 'girlish' refers to qualities or characteristics typically associated with girls, such as playfulness, innocence, and a tendency toward charm and beauty. It often describes behavior or interests that society traditionally attributes to young females.

Synonyms

dainty, feminine, playful, youthful

Examples of usage

  • She has a girlish laugh that lights up the room.
  • His girlish mannerisms were endearing to his friends.
  • The movie features a girlish protagonist who loves adventure.

Translations

Translations of the word "girlish" in other languages:

🇵🇹 feminino

🇮🇳 लड़की जैसा

🇩🇪 mädchenhaft

🇮🇩 perempuan

🇺🇦 дівчачий

🇵🇱 dziewczęcy

🇯🇵 女の子の

🇫🇷 féminin

🇪🇸 femenino

🇹🇷 kız gibi

🇰🇷 소녀 같은

🇸🇦 أنثوي

🇨🇿 dívčí

🇸🇰 dievčenský

🇨🇳 女孩的

🇸🇮 dekliški

🇮🇸 stelpurnar

🇰🇿 қыз балалық

🇬🇪 გოგოსური

🇦🇿 qız kimi

🇲🇽 femenino

Word origin

The word 'girlish' dates back to the Middle English period, where it was formed from 'girl,' which itself has origins in the Old English word 'gyrle' meaning a young female child. Over time, as the concept of gender roles evolved, 'girlish' came to embody attributes that are socially constructed as feminine. The suffix '-ish' is a common English diminutive used to imply a certain quality related to the root word—in this case, suggesting features or characteristics that are childlike or youthful. The use of 'girlish' suggests a lighter, more innocent version of femininity, often celebrated in literature, fashion, and society, revealing the cultural nuances surrounding gender and youth.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,127, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.