Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Uncharacteristic of, unbecoming to, or degrading to a man, especially in not conforming to stereotypical masculine traits such as stoicism and independence.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Not manly.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective of a person Showing characteristics that are not manly, such as being immature, effeminate or cowardly, which might be construed as an indicator of weakness or of baseness of character.
  • adjective Of or pertaining to something not human.
  • adjective of a behaviour or action Cowardly, base.
  • adjective of a behaviour or action Not acceptable of a man.
  • adjective of a behaviour or action Not becoming of a man.
  • adverb In a manner that is unmanly.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective not possessing qualities befitting a man
  • adjective lacking in courage and manly strength and resolution; contemptibly fearful
  • adverb without qualities thought to befit a man

Etymologies

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Examples

  • I found, however, that although I allowed them many indulgences, they had still a great longing after war expeditions; and I could learn, in a quiet way, that they often drew comparisons by no means to my advantage, between my father's warlike propensities and what they called my unmanly disposition.

    The Life and Adventures of Zamba, an African Negro King; and His Experience of Slavery in South Carolina. Written by Himself. Corrected and Arranged by Peter Neilson. 1847

  • Because he'd have to be a man for a woman but kneeling before her to pleasure her with his tongue in unmanly subservience?

    Archive 2007-04-01 Hal Duncan 2007

  • Because he'd have to be a man for a woman but kneeling before her to pleasure her with his tongue in unmanly subservience?

    THE HALLS OF PENTHEUS -- PART FOUR Hal Duncan 2007

  • I flew immediately to Miss Tuttle with the violent demand as to whether she knew that her sister was already a wife when she married me, and when she cried out 'No!' and showed great dismay, I broke forth with the dreadful tale and cowered in unmanly anguish at her feet, and went mad and lost myself for a little while.

    The Filigree Ball 1903

  • Tringle, with �0,000, to you with nothing; and I do not think that I ought to be called unmanly, disgraceful, and a coward, because I have courage enough to speak the truth openly to a friend whom I trust.

    Ayala's Angel 2004

  • But then I acknowledge also that I prefer Miss Tringle, with £100,000, to you with nothing; and I do not think that I ought to be called unmanly, disgraceful, and a coward, because I have courage enough to speak the truth openly to a friend whom I trust.

    Ayala's Angel 1993

  • I ought to be called unmanly, disgraceful, and a coward, because

    Ayala's Angel 1881

  • But then I acknowledge also that I prefer Miss Tringle, with £100,000, to you with nothing; and I do not think that I ought to be called unmanly, disgraceful, and a coward, because I have courage enough to speak the truth openly to a friend whom I trust.

    Ayala's Angel 1881

  • Despite being called the unmanly 'Care Bear' on the field, Danny has embraced the nickname and has embroidered it on his shoes.

    Home | Mail Online 2009

  • When I was in school, I saw great damage done to a young man ostracized as a "faggot" by his holier-than-thou Christian brethren, called unmanly by his own father and left unprotected by his mother against all the abuse.

    Pam's House Blend - Front Page 2009

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