maidenly

adjective

Definition of maidenlynext
as in virginal

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of maidenly Virgo Virgo is symbolized by the maidenly virgin, which often leads to the misconception that Virgos are prudish and innocent. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, 25 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maidenly
  1. virginal
  2. girlish
  3. youthful
  4. young
  5. boyish
  6. ingenuous
Adjective
  • Sam neglects the standards of his profession to protect women who Cady could hurt, especially someone like Sam’s virginal teen daughter, Dani.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 June 2026
  • Brides were expected, in most cultures at various points in history, to be virginal, pure and dedicated to their husbands.
    — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
Definition of virginal
Adjective
  • Known for her breathy, sultry yet girlish vocal style, Longet achieved significant success on the record charts, beginning with her 1967 debut album, Claudine, and, to a lesser extent, the subsequent The Look of Love (1967) and Love Is Blue (1968).
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 14 May 2026
  • Miho Sakoda’s Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San) managed a deft balance of girlish naiveté, true love and bitter betrayal with a soprano of apparently limitless expressivity.
    — Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 11 Apr. 2026
Definition of girlish
Adjective
  • McElwee’s brother, having followed their father into the medical profession, received mentorship and experienced the glow of paternal pride, whereas McElwee’s youthful filmmaking vocation was met with bewilderment and doubt.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
  • The Grammy-winning Australian singer has been going viral for his youthful physique after appearing shirtless during a recent performance.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 10 July 2026
Definition of youthful
Adjective
  • Be vigilant about never leaving young children and pets in vehicles without supervision, especially during periods of intense heat, as car interiors can quickly become extremely hot.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
  • Hundreds of people, mostly young, gathered in Kyiv Thursday to protest Fedorov’s departure.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Definition of young
Adjective
  • The 20-year-old combines a boyish charm with something deeper, turning out reflective tunes full of big feelings and sharp storytelling.
    — Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 5 July 2026
  • But his boyish face might never be plastered across TV adverts or the billboards of Times Square in the way his sporting peers are.
    — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of boyish
Adjective
  • Modern Love used a photo of David Bowie in a long dress as his profile picture, and so the ingenuous, myopic Floyd expects a woman.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Ross, meanwhile, exudes suspiciously ingenuous charisma as the heavily accented voice coming out of Meek’s Speak & Spell.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of ingenuous

Browse Nearby Words

maidenhood
maidenly
maiden name
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Maidenly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maidenly. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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