adj
ladylike
LAY-dee-lyk
Ladylike (adj) means behaving or appearing in a refined, polite, feminine way traditionally expected of a well-mannered woman. Example: “She sat with her hands folded in a ladylike manner.”
adj
1
Behaving or appearing in a refined, polite, feminine way traditionally expected of a well-mannered woman.
"She sat with her hands folded in a ladylike manner."
"His grandmother always insisted on ladylike behaviour at the dinner table."
How to use ladylike
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPolite, graceful, and proper in a traditionally feminine way.
When to use it
A somewhat old-fashioned word — modern writing often avoids it because it implies a narrow standard of how women "should" behave.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more ladylike
- Superlative
- most ladylike
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She sat with her hands folded in a _____ manner.
Etymology
From "lady" plus the suffix "-like".
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for ladylike
See all rhymes for ladylike →Frequently asked questions
What does “ladylike” mean?
The word “ladylike” means behaving or appearing in a refined, polite, feminine way traditionally expected of a well-mannered woman. In plain terms, polite, graceful, and proper in a traditionally feminine way.
How do you pronounce “ladylike”?
“Ladylike” is pronounced LAY-dee-lyk (/ˈleɪ.di.laɪ̯k/ in IPA).
How do you use “ladylike” in a sentence?
Here is “ladylike” used in a sentence: “She sat with her hands folded in a ladylike manner.”
What part of speech is “ladylike”?
“Ladylike” is an adjective.
