Finesentence

Manly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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manly

man-ly

🇺🇸 /ˈmænɫi/ · 🇬🇧 /mˈænli/

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

behavior

having qualities traditionally associated with men, such as strength, courage, and assertiveness

Synonyms

macho, masculine, virile.

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Word Description / Examples
manly

Describing qualities traditionally associated with men, like bravery and strength, in a positive or neutral sense.

  • He showed a very manly attitude by taking charge in the crisis
  • His manly appearance gave him a commanding presence
masculine

Referring to qualities traditionally associated with men in a broad, neutral sense. It can describe characteristics or appearance.

  • His deep voice is very masculine
  • The room had a masculine decor, with dark colors and heavy furniture
virile

Emphasizing strength, energy, and sexual potency in a positive or admiring way.

  • He was known for his virile charm and charismatic personality
  • The ancient warrior was depicted as strong and virile
macho

Describing an exaggerated or aggressive display of traditional male qualities, often used in a negative or critical context.

  • He acted all macho around his friends, boasting about his strength
  • Sometimes, his macho behavior can be a bit off-putting

Examples of usage

  • He showed a manly determination to overcome the obstacles in his path.
  • She admired his manly confidence in difficult situations.
Context #2 | Adverb

manner

in a manner befitting a man; with strength and courage

Examples of usage

  • He faced the challenge manly and refused to give up.
  • She spoke manly, with a firm voice that demanded attention.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “manly”

Manly is a 2-syllable adjective and adverb (man-ly). It is pronounced /ˈmænɫi/ in American English and /mˈænli/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 3 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #10,880 among the most common English words.

Origin of 'manly'

The word 'manly' dates back to the 14th century and is derived from the Old English 'mannlic', which means 'characteristic of a man'. Throughout history, 'manly' has been used to describe attributes and behaviors typically associated with men, such as strength, courage, and honor.

See also: everyman, man, manacle, manage, mania, manipulate, mankind, manliness, manner, manor, mantra, manual, manure.

Rhymes

Manly rhymes with chanley, cranley, danley, danly, ganley, hanley, hanly and manley.

See all rhymes →

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,880, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.