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Unmanly: meaning, definitions and examples

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unmanly

 

[ ʌnˈmænli ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

character traits

The term 'unmanly' refers to qualities or behaviors that are considered uncharacteristic of traditional masculinity. It often implies weakness, vulnerability, or a lack of toughness that society typically associates with men.

Synonyms

cowardly, effeminate, timid, weak

Examples of usage

  • His unmanly behavior at the party surprised everyone.
  • The actor's unmanly demeanor challenged stereotypes in the film.
  • Critics described the movie's protagonist as unmanly for not conforming to masculine ideals.

Translations

Translations of the word "unmanly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 não viril

🇮🇳 अपुरुषार्थ

🇩🇪 unmännlich

🇮🇩 tidak jantan

🇺🇦 недостатньо чоловічий

🇵🇱 niemęski

🇯🇵 男らしくない

🇫🇷 non viril

🇪🇸 no masculino

🇹🇷 erkek gibi değil

🇰🇷 남자답지 않은

🇸🇦 غير ذكوري

🇨🇿 ne mužný

🇸🇰 nemužný

🇨🇳 不男性化

🇸🇮 ne moški

🇮🇸 ekki karlmannlegt

🇰🇿 еркектік емес

🇬🇪 არ კაცური

🇦🇿 kişiliksiz

🇲🇽 no masculino

Word origin

The word 'unmanly' is constructed from the prefix 'un-', meaning 'not', and the word 'manly', which derives from the Old English 'mann', meaning 'man', combined with the suffix '-ly' that turns the adjective into an adverb. The concept of masculinity has been a subject of social and cultural debate, leading to the emergence of terms like 'unmanly' to describe behaviors that deviate from traditional male norms. The use of the term can be traced back to the late 19th century, reflecting societal expectations of masculinity during that period. Over time, what is considered 'manly' or 'unmanly' has evolved, influenced by changes in gender roles and the broader conversations about masculinity in contemporary society.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,126, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.