Word forms: comparative manlier, superlative manliest
adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe a man's behaviour or appearance as manly, you approve of it because it shows qualities that are considered typical of a man, such as strength or courage.
[approval]
He set himself manly tasks and expected others to follow his example.
He was the ideal of manly beauty.
Synonyms: virile, male, masculine, macho More Synonyms of manly
manlinessuncountable noun
He has no doubts about his manliness.
Synonyms: virility, masculinity, manhood, machismo More Synonyms of manly
manly in British English
(ˈmænlɪ)
adjectiveWord forms: -lier or -liest
1.
possessing qualities, such as vigour or courage, generally regarded as appropriate to or typical of a man; masculine
2.
characteristic of or befitting a man
a manly sport
Derived forms
manliness (ˈmanliness)
noun
manly in American English
(ˈmænli)
adjectiveWord forms: ˈmanlier or ˈmanliest
1.
having the qualities generally regarded as those that a man should have; virile; strong, brave, resolute, honorable, etc.
2.
fit for a man; masculine
manly sports
adverb
3. Obsolete
in a manly way
SIMILAR WORDS: male
Derived forms
manliness (ˈmanliness)
noun
Word origin
ME: see UNRESOLVED CROSS REF & -ly1
Examples of 'manly' in a sentence
manly
They look more manly than a cupcake.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
That would make the manly guys look like victims of a naturally unattainable standard of beauty.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He may have kept it secret because he worries it makes him look less manly.
The Sun (2009)
Whether that makes you more manly or not is another matter.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He's always looked manly to me.
The Sun (2013)
It makes them feel good about themselves, it makes them feel manly.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
If you feel the need to make something manly of it, fry up strips of bacon and add them too.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They make me feel manly.
The Sun (2006)
My wife tells me they're hers too, she likes how manly they make me look.
The Sun (2013)
There is a lot to be said for the manly virtues - courage, stoicism and strength.
The Sun (2016)
You don't look manly at all: it gives you a toned body rather than a big body.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Apparently, we like people more if we can do them favours, and it makes men feel manly and useful.
The Sun (2011)
It may make you feel all manly and special, which is fine if it's a little game you both enjoy.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Just something that they had to say to make themselves feel manly, I guess.
Stanko, Elizabeth Everyday Violence (1990)
In other languages
manly
British English: manly ADJECTIVE
If a man's behaviour or appearance is manly, it shows qualities that are considered typical of a man, such as strength or courage.
He set himself manly tasks and expected others to follow his example.
American English: manly
Brazilian Portuguese: másculo
Chinese: 有男子气概的
European Spanish: varonil
French: viril
German: männlich
Italian: coraggioso
Japanese: >男らしい行動・外見が
Korean: 남자다운
European Portuguese: másculo
Latin American Spanish: varonil
Chinese translation of 'manly'
manly
(ˈmænlɪ)
adj
[quality, feeling]男子气(氣)的 (nánzǐqì de)
[activity]适(適)合男子的 (shìhé nánzǐ de)
[person, appearance]男子汉(漢)的 (nánzǐhàn de)
(adjective)
Definition
possessing qualities, such as vigour or courage, traditionally regarded as appropriate to a man
He set himself manly tasks and expected others to follow him.He was the ideal of manly beauty.
Synonyms
virile
a tall, virile man with rugged good looks
male
a deep male voice
masculine
an aggressive, masculine image
macho
strong
I'm not strong enough to carry him.
powerful
a big, powerful man
brave
brave people who dare to challenge the tyrannical regimes
daring
a daring rescue attempt
bold
She becomes a bold, daring rebel.
strapping
hardy
A few hardy souls leapt into the encircling seas.
heroic
The heroic sergeant risked his life to rescue 29 fishermen.
robust
His robust physique counts for much in the modern game.
vigorous
He was a vigorous, handsome young man.
muscular
tanned muscular legs
courageous
She is clearly a very tough and courageous woman.
fearless
brave and fearless soldiers
butch (slang)
resolute
gallant
gallant soldiers who gave their lives
valiant
valiant attempts by neighbours and firefighters to rescue them
well-built
red-blooded (informal)
I am, even if I say so myself, a red-blooded male.
dauntless
Perseverance and dauntless courage brought them to their goal.
stout-hearted
valorous
manful
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bold
Definition
courageous, confident, and fearless
She becomes a bold, daring rebel.
Synonyms
fearless,
enterprising,
brave,
daring,
heroic,
adventurous,
courageous,
gritty,
gallant,
gutsy (slang),
audacious,
intrepid,
valiant,
plucky,
undaunted,
unafraid,
unflinching,
dauntless,
ballsy (taboo, slang),
lion-hearted,
valorous
in the sense of brave
Definition
having or displaying courage, resolution, or daring
brave people who dare to challenge the tyrannical regimes
Synonyms
courageous,
daring,
bold,
heroic,
adventurous,
gritty,
fearless,
resolute,
gallant,
gutsy (slang),
audacious,
intrepid,
valiant,
plucky,
undaunted,
unafraid,
unflinching,
dauntless,
ballsy (taboo, slang),
lion-hearted,
valorous
in the sense of courageous
Definition
showing courage
She is clearly a very tough and courageous woman.
Synonyms
brave,
daring,
bold,
plucky,
hardy,
heroic,
gritty,
stalwart,
fearless,
resolute,
gallant,
audacious,
intrepid,
valiant,
indomitable,
dauntless,
ballsy (slang),
lion-hearted,
valorous,
stouthearted
Synonyms of 'manly'
manly
Explore 'manly' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of daring
Definition
willing to do things that may be dangerous
a daring rescue attempt
Synonyms
brave,
bold,
adventurous,
rash,
have-a-go (informal),
reckless,
fearless,
audacious,
intrepid,
impulsive,
valiant,
plucky,
game (informal),
daredevil,
ballsy (taboo, slang),
venturesome,
(as) game as Ned Kelly (Australian, slang)
in the sense of dauntless
Definition
fearless
Perseverance and dauntless courage brought them to their goal.
Synonyms
fearless,
brave,
daring,
bold,
heroic,
courageous,
gritty,
resolute,
gallant,
intrepid,
valiant,
doughty (old-fashioned),
undaunted,
indomitable,
unflinching,
lion-hearted,
valorous,
stouthearted (old-fashioned)
in the sense of fearless
brave and fearless soldiers
Synonyms
intrepid,
confident,
brave,
daring,
bold,
heroic,
courageous,
gallant,
gutsy (slang),
valiant,
plucky,
game (informal),
doughty,
undaunted,
indomitable,
unabashed,
unafraid,
unflinching,
dauntless,
ballsy (taboo, slang),
lion-hearted,
valorous,
(as) game as Ned Kelly (Australian, slang)
in the sense of gallant
Definition
having a reputation for bravery
gallant soldiers who gave their lives
Synonyms
brave,
daring,
bold,
heroic,
courageous,
dashing,
noble,
manly,
gritty,
fearless,
intrepid,
valiant,
plucky,
doughty (old-fashioned),
dauntless,
lion-hearted,
valorous,
manful,
mettlesome,
game (informal)
in the sense of hardy
A few hardy souls leapt into the encircling seas.
Synonyms
courageous,
brave,
daring,
bold,
heroic,
manly,
gritty,
feisty (informal),
resolute,
intrepid,
valiant,
plucky,
valorous,
stouthearted (old-fashioned)
in the sense of heroic
Definition
brave and courageous
The heroic sergeant risked his life to rescue 29 fishermen.
Synonyms
courageous,
brave,
daring,
bold,
fearless,
gallant,
intrepid,
valiant,
doughty (old-fashioned),
undaunted,
dauntless,
lion-hearted,
valorous,
stouthearted (old-fashioned)
in the sense of male
Definition
of or characteristic of a man
a deep male voice
Synonyms
masculine,
manly,
macho,
virile,
manlike,
manful
in the sense of manful
Definition
determined and brave
Synonyms
brave,
strong,
determined,
powerful,
daring,
bold,
hardy,
noble,
heroic,
vigorous,
manly,
courageous,
stout,
stalwart,
resolute,
gallant,
intrepid,
valiant,
indomitable,
stout-hearted
in the sense of masculine
an aggressive, masculine image
Synonyms
strong,
powerful,
bold,
brave,
strapping,
hardy,
robust,
vigorous,
muscular,
macho,
butch (slang),
resolute,
gallant,
well-built,
red-blooded (informal),
stout-hearted,
two-fisted
in the sense of muscular
Definition
forceful or powerful
tanned muscular legs
Synonyms
strong,
powerful,
athletic,
strapping,
robust,
vigorous,
sturdy,
stalwart,
husky (informal),
beefy (informal),
swole (slang),
hench (informal),
lusty,
sinewy,
muscle-bound,
brawny,
powerfully built,
thickset,
well-knit
Additional synonyms
in the sense of powerful
Definition
having great physical strength
a big, powerful man
Synonyms
strong,
strapping,
mighty,
robust,
vigorous,
potent,
energetic,
sturdy,
stalwart
in the sense of red-blooded
Definition
vigorous or virile
I am, even if I say so myself, a red-blooded male.
Synonyms
vigorous,
lusty,
virile,
strong,
vital,
robust,
hearty
in the sense of robust
Definition
sturdily built
His robust physique counts for much in the modern game.
Synonyms
strong,
tough,
powerful,
athletic,
well,
sound,
fit,
healthy,
strapping,
hardy,
rude,
vigorous,
rugged (US, Canadian),
muscular,
swole (slang),
hench (informal),
sturdy,
hale (old-fashioned),
stout,
staunch,
hearty,
husky (informal),
in good health,
lusty,
alive and kicking,
fighting fit,
sinewy,
brawny,
in fine fettle,
thickset,
fit as a fiddle (informal),
able-bodied
in the sense of strong
Definition
having physical power
I'm not strong enough to carry him.
Synonyms
powerful,
muscular,
tough,
capable,
athletic,
strapping,
hardy,
sturdy,
stout,
stalwart,
burly,
beefy (informal),
virile,
Herculean,
sinewy,
brawny,
swole (slang),
hench (informal)
in the sense of valiant
Definition
very brave
valiant attempts by neighbours and firefighters to rescue them