manly

1 of 2

adverb

man·​ly ˈman-lē 

: in a manly manner

manly

2 of 2

adjective

manlier; manliest

1

: having qualities (such as strength or virility) traditionally associated with men

2

: appropriate in character to a man

manly sports

Synonyms of manly

Adjective

• male
• masculine

Examples of manly in a Sentence

Adjective

He wasn't manly enough to fight.

He has a deep, manly voice.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Odysseus, manly and strong, is catnip to all kinds of scheming women. — Jim Beckerman, USA Today, 16 July 2026

But there’s so much decorously, Homerically faithful story swirling around these two figures, glimpsed mostly in passing—and so many men around them, doing seriously manly stuff—that neither role registers. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 15 July 2026

Is there anything uniquely manly about being a good father? — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 19 June 2026

Another critic pointed out that Williams has been the victim of similar attacks calling her athletic build masculine or manly. — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English manli "befitting a man, bravely, resolutely, courteously," going back to Old English manliche, from man man entry 1 + -liche -ly entry 2

Adjective

Middle English manli "human, male, brave, resolute, noble," from man man entry 1 + -li -ly entry 1

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for manly

• inhumanly
• unmanly

Kids Definition

manly

adjective

man·​ly

ˈman-lē

manlier; manliest

1

: having qualities usually expected of a man : strong

2

: appropriate in character to a man

manly sports

manliness noun