Girlishly: meaning, definitions and examples

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girlishly

 

[ ˈɡɜːrlɪʃli ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

behavior, manner

The term 'girlishly' refers to an action or manner of behaving that is characteristic of girls. It often implies playfulness, innocence, or a certain level of softness associated with traditional femininity. This word can also suggest a sense of youthfulness or naivety, reflecting attitudes and behaviors that society often attributes to younger females. Girlishly might describe someone's demeanor, speech, or style in a way that emphasizes charm and delicacy.

Synonyms

femininely, playfully, youthfully

Examples of usage

  • She twirled girlishly in her new dress.
  • He smiled at her girlishly animated gestures.
  • They giggled girlishly at their inside jokes.

Translations

Translations of the word "girlishly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 feminina

🇮🇳 लड़की की तरह

🇩🇪 mädchenhaft

🇮🇩 seperti gadis

🇺🇦 дівоче

🇵🇱 dziewczęco

🇯🇵 少女のように

🇫🇷 féminin

🇪🇸 de chica

🇹🇷 kız gibi

🇰🇷 소녀처럼

🇸🇦 بشكل أنثوي

🇨🇿 dívčím způsobem

🇸🇰 dievčensky

🇨🇳 女孩般

🇸🇮 deviško

🇮🇸 stúlku

🇰🇿 қыз сияқты

🇬🇪 ქალიშვილის მსგავსად

🇦🇿 qız kimi

🇲🇽 como chica

Etymology

The word 'girlishly' is derived from the base noun 'girl,' which traces its origins back to the Old English word 'gyrela,' referring to a young female child. Over time, the term evolved, and by the late Middle English period, it had come to signify a young female or daughter, with connotations that prompt associations of innocence and youthfulness. The suffix '-ly' is commonly used in English to turn adjectives into adverbs. Thus, 'girlish' became 'girlishly,' specifically defining actions or attributes that reflect the characteristics of a girl. The use of 'girlishly' often reflects societal norms and expectations regarding femininity, which have evolved over centuries, yet still carry certain traditional implications about youth, behavior, and appearance.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,230, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.