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Unladylike: meaning, definitions and examples

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unladylike

 

[ ʌnˈleɪdɪlaɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

behavior, expectations

Unladylike describes behavior or actions that are considered inappropriate or unbecoming of a woman, especially in traditional or conservative societies. It often implies a lack of femininity or grace as per societal norms.

Synonyms

awkward, improper, unfeminine, ungraceful.

Examples of usage

  • Her unladylike laughter filled the room.
  • He found her unladylike behavior refreshing.
  • Wearing jeans to the gala was seen as unladylike.

Translations

Translations of the word "unladylike" in other languages:

🇵🇹 não feminina

🇮🇳 महिलाओं के अनुसार नहीं

🇩🇪 unweiblich

🇮🇩 tidak feminin

🇺🇦 не жіночно

🇵🇱 niekobiece

🇯🇵 女性らしくない

🇫🇷 non féminin

🇪🇸 no femenino

🇹🇷 kadınsı olmayan

🇰🇷 여성스럽지 않은

🇸🇦 غير أنثوي

🇨🇿 neženské

🇸🇰 nez ženské

🇨🇳 不女性化

🇸🇮 nežensko

🇮🇸 ekki kvenleg

🇰🇿 әйелдік емес

🇬🇪 არამხიარული

🇦🇿 qadınsı olmayan

🇲🇽 no femenino

Etymology

The term 'unladylike' emerged in the 19th century, combining the prefix 'un-', meaning not, with 'ladylike', which is derived from 'lady'. The word 'lady' itself has roots in Old English 'hlæfdige', which referred to a woman of high social status or a female head of a household. Over time, societal ideals of femininity tightened, establishing certain behaviors and attributes as appropriate for 'ladies'. Thus, 'unladylike' came to describe actions or characteristics that defy these conventions. The usage reflects broader cultural attitudes toward gender roles, highlighting a time when women's behavior was heavily scrutinized and regulated. The growth of feminist movements in the 20th century challenged these restrictive notions, leading to a re-evaluation of what constitutes appropriate behavior for women.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,526, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.