adj
manly
MAN-lee
adj
1
Having qualities traditionally seen as typical of men, such as strength, courage, or toughness.
"He gave the wound a manly shrug and kept working."
"There was something almost defiantly manly about his refusal to complain."
How to Use Manly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDisplaying traits stereotypically associated with masculinity, like toughness or courage.
Common pairings
manly pursuits
a manly handshake
Word Forms
manlier comparative, Manlys plural, manliest superlative
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “manly”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
He gave the wound a _____ shrug and kept working.
Etymology
From Old English, built from man plus the adjective suffix -ly.