adj

girlish

GUR-lihsh

Girlish (adj) means resembling or typical of a young girl. Example: “She let out a girlish giggle at the joke.”

adj

Resembling or typical of a young girl.

"She let out a girlish giggle at the joke."

"His girlish handwriting surprised his teammates."

How to use girlish

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHaving the qualities typically associated with a young girl, such as playfulness or a light manner.

Common pairings

girlish laughter girlish charm girlish enthusiasm

Word forms

more girlish comparative, most girlish superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “girlish” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She let out a _____ giggle at the joke.

Etymology

Formed from girl + the adjective-forming suffix -ish.

Frequently asked questions

What does “girlish” mean?

The word “girlish” means resembling or typical of a young girl. In plain terms, having the qualities typically associated with a young girl, such as playfulness or a light manner.

How do you pronounce “girlish”?

“Girlish” is pronounced GUR-lihsh (/ˈɡɝ.lɪʃ/ in IPA).

How do you use “girlish” in a sentence?

Here is “girlish” used in a sentence: “She let out a girlish giggle at the joke.”

What part of speech is “girlish”?

“Girlish” is an adjective.