manly

1 of 2

adverb

man·​ly ˈman-lē 

: in a manly manner

manly

2 of 2

adjective

manlier; manliest

1

: having qualities traditionally associated with a man : strong, virile

2

: appropriate in character to a man

manly sports

Synonyms

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

Football tells a story of manly grit, with echoes of the battlefield. —Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 23 June 2025

Making money has long been manly in the Trumpian universe, but now so is losing it. —Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 9 May 2025

Today’s Wordle Etymology Macho comes from the Spanish word meaning ‘male’ or ‘manly’ which was derived from the Latin masculus, also the root of the English masculine. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

Movies don't get more manly than Predator, which is positively brimming with bulging muscles, oneupmanship, relentless s— talk, chainguns, and some of Schwarzenegger's silliest one-liners since Commando. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 7 Mar. 2025

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

• 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