ladylike

play

adjective la·dy·like \ ˈlā-dē-ˌlīk \

Definition of ladylike

1 :becoming or suitable to a lady

2 :resembling a lady in appearance or manners :well-bred

3 a :feeling or showing too much concern about elegance or propriety

ladylike embarrassment at not being the wife of a real doctor
—Lewis Vogler

b :lacking in strength, force, or virility

See ladylike defined for English-language learners

See ladylike defined for kids

Examples of ladylike in a Sentence

encouraging young women to be more ladylike

Recent Examples of ladylike from the Web

Plus-size striped shirtdress, $29.99; target.com Studs add a little edge to this ladylike handbag.

— kami phillips, PEOPLE.com, "The 7 Coolest Pieces to Shop From Target's New Size-Inclusive Line, A New Day," 29 Aug. 2017
In line with his aesthetic — most famously seen on Michelle Obama — Wu wanted the bottle and the campaign to look both sensual and ladylike, with a sense of purpose.

— kathleen hou, The Cut, "This New Perfume Smells Like Warm Silk," 25 Aug. 2017
The ruffles on her chambray shirt lent ladylike flourish and served as an elegant foil to her to-the-knee pencil skirt—which echoed the hue of her multi-strap sandals.

— edward barsamian, Vogue, "Katie Holmes Doubles Down on Denim for a First Class Airport Arrival," 13 July 2017
Wearing a ladylike blue suit, Clark, who recently moved to New Orleans from New York, looked positively tame next to a small patron who dolled herself up in a pink wig and tiered cake dress.

— danielle dreilinger, NOLA.com, "'Drag queens are fabulous storytellers for kids': Library holds story hour," 11 July 2017
This isn't Middleton's first time tiptoeing the fine line between provocative and ladylike with her Wimbledon wardrobe.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Pippa Middleton Turns Up the Heat at Wimbledon in This Sultry Dress," 10 July 2017
Because apparently normal robes are just too ladylike for true dudes.

— jonathan evans, Esquire, "The DudeRobe Is Here and It's Even Dumber Than the RompHim," 30 June 2017
Her optic-white stilettos were a ladylike counterpoint to her husband's optic white kicks.

— edward barsamian, Vogue, "Victoria and David Beckham Just Upped the Ante on Cool Couples Style," 11 June 2017
Cotillard has traded in her ladylike aesthetic for an edgier vibe and embraced a variety of up-and-coming designers on the step-and-repeat.

— stephanie chan, The Hollywood Reporter, "Marion Cotillard's Style About-Face in Cannes," 25 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ladylike.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of ladylike

1534

LADYLIKE Defined for English Language Learners

ladylike

play

adjective

Definition of ladylike for English Language Learners

: polite and quiet in a way that has traditionally been considered suited to a woman

LADYLIKE Defined for Kids

ladylike

play

adjective la·dy·like \ ˈlā-dē-ˌlīk \

Definition of ladylike for Students

:suitable to a woman or girl who behaves in a polite way

It was not ladylike to yell like that.
—Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prairie

Learn More about ladylike

See words that rhyme with ladylike

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up ladylike? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

ladylike

Definition of ladylike

Examples of ladylike in a Sentence

Recent Examples of ladylike from the Web

First Known Use of ladylike

LADYLIKE Defined for English Language Learners

ladylike

Definition of ladylike for English Language Learners

LADYLIKE Defined for Kids

ladylike

Definition of ladylike for Students

Learn More about ladylike

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

toothsome

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Let's Talk 'Tea'

8 Words and Phrases from Boxing and Wrestling

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

True or False?

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066

ladylike

Definition of ladylike

From the M-W Editors

Examples of ladylike in a Sentence

Recent Examples of ladylike from the Web

First Known Use of ladylike

LADYLIKE Defined for English Language Learners

ladylike

Definition of ladylike for English Language Learners

LADYLIKE Defined for Kids

ladylike

Definition of ladylike for Students

Learn More about ladylike

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066