ladylike

Definitions

1. Of, relating to, characteristic of, or appropriate to women. In The Dictionary of Bias-Free Usage (1991) Rosalie Maggio objects to the use of this word on the grounds that: ' The word "lady" is generally unacceptable, and "ladylike" conveys different meanings according to people's perceptions of what a woman ought or ought no to do, say, think, wear, feel, look like. These subjective cultural judgments have nothing to do with sex and everything to do with gender.' She recommends instead the following adjectives which are equally appropriately of a man: courteous, well-mannered, civil, polite, tender, cooperative, neat, soft-spoken, gentle, aristocratic, cultured, elegant, proper, correct, gracious, considerate, refined, weel-bred, kind, well-spoken.

2. Of a man, effeminate.

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(Adjective) genteel