ladylike

[ley-dee-lahyk]

adjective

1. like a lady.

   Synonyms: courteous, well-mannered, well-bred

2. befitting a lady.

   in a ladylike manner.

   Synonyms: courteous, well-mannered, well-bred

ladylike

/ ˈleɪdɪˌlaɪk /

adjective

1. like or befitting a lady in manners and bearing; refined and fastidious

2. derogatory,  (of a man) effeminate

Other Word Forms

• ladylikeness noun
• unladylike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ladylike¹

First recorded in 1580–90; lady + -like

Example Sentences

Joking aside, she adds, “People were telling me I was weird, that what I was doing wasn’t very ‘ladylike.’”

From Los Angeles Times

“The unflappable Pointer sails above the general mayhem with a ladylike aplomb that makes her subsequent emotional epiphany all the more moving,” The Times wrote about Pointer’s performance in that show.

From Los Angeles Times

Female athletes made their debut at the modern Olympics in 1900 but were limited to a few sports deemed suitably ladylike, such as golf and croquet.

From Los Angeles Times

Her mother, Anne, was a stickler for “pure” and ladylike behavior, which cramped Alice’s imagination.

From Los Angeles Times

If Ms. Rush’s portrayals had one thing in common, it was a gentle, ladylike quality, which she put to use in films of many genres.

From New York Times

Related Words

• genteel