UNMANLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does unmanly mean? 

• UNMANLY (adjective)
  The adjective UNMANLY has 2 senses:

1. not possessing qualities befitting a man

2. lacking in courage and manly strength and resolution; contemptibly fearful

  Familiarity information: UNMANLY used as an adjective is rare.

• UNMANLY (adverb)
  The adverb UNMANLY has 1 sense:

1. without qualities thought to befit a man

  Familiarity information: UNMANLY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• UNMANLY (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not possessing qualities befitting a man

Synonyms:

unmanful; unmanlike; unmanly

Similar:

cissy; effeminate; emasculate; epicene; sissified; sissy; sissyish (having unsuitable feminine qualities)

womanish (having characteristics associated with women and considered undesirable in men)

Antonym:

manly (possessing qualities befitting a man)

Derivation:

unmanliness (the trait of being effeminate (derogatory of a man))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Lacking in courage and manly strength and resolution; contemptibly fearful

Synonyms:

poor-spirited; pusillanimous; unmanly

Similar:

cowardly; fearful (lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted)

Derivation:

unmanliness (the trait of being effeminate (derogatory of a man))

• UNMANLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Without qualities thought to befit a man

Synonyms:

unmanfully; unmanly

 Context examples 

It might be unmanly, but he couldn't help it, and I am glad of it.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

“Silver, if you like,” cried the squire; “but as for that intolerable humbug, I declare I think his conduct unmanly, unsailorly, and downright un-English.”

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Jo wanted to lay her head down on that motherly bosom, and cry her grief and anger all away, but tears were an unmanly weakness, and she felt so deeply injured that she really couldn't quite forgive yet.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)