ladylike
adjective
la·dy·like
| \ ˈlā-dē-ˌlīk
\
\
Definition of ladylike
1
: becoming or suitable to a lady
2
: resembling a lady in appearance or manners : well-bred
3a
: feeling or showing too much concern about elegance or propriety
ladylike embarrassment at not being the wife of a real doctor— Lewis Vogler
b
: lacking in strength, force, or virility
Examples of ladylike in a Sentence
encouraging young women to be more ladylike
Recent Examples on the Web
Her high-waisted black Saint Laurent pants amplified that ladylike effect and looked particularly flattering paired with square-toe Jacquemus heels. — Vogue, "Emily Ratajkowski Trades in Her Crop Top for a Refreshing New Look," 17 Aug. 2019 While ladylike blowouts and romantic half-updos are usually on the royal beauty menu for Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, today’s athletic activities warranted a different aesthetic. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "Kate Middleton Takes a Sporty Page From Meghan Markle’s Beauty Playbook," 27 Feb. 2019 There is this notion that women should be more ladylike, and that is a benevolently sexist kind of ideal. — Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, "Opinion: Here's what's behind criticism of U.S. women and World Cup celebrations," 15 June 2019 Vogueworld Chloë Sevigny Perfects the Downtown Slingback Last night, at Chanel’s annual Artists Dinner at Balthazar for the Tribeca Film Festival, Chloë Sevigny wore a ladylike look with her signature downtown spin. — Vogue, "Chloë Sevigny Perfects the Downtown Slingback," 30 Apr. 2019 Go for low-profile accessories like slim cat-eye sunglasses and a little-but-ladylike bag. — Nicola Fumo, Harper's BAZAAR, "5 Chic Looks You Can Wear to Work and on the Weekend," 18 Mar. 2019 The Ruling Clasp Fall’s ladylike spirit extends into handbags with a focus on proper flap bags with metallic logo clasps. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, "The 8 Best Accessory Trends of Fall 2019," 14 Mar. 2019 Base your outfit around ladylike staples and a little something extra, like classic black slingbacks with a festive bow and a camel coat in a fun teddy texture. — Nicola Fumo, Town & Country, "What to Pack for Every Type of Holiday Trip," 21 Dec. 2018 The chunky brown ankle boots, with a slight heel, stitching detail and eyelet laces are a completely different style for the typically feminine and ladylike Duchess of Cambridge. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Kate Middleton Chose Skinny Jeans and Cool Chloé Boots for Her First 2019 Royal Engagement," 15 Jan. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ladylike.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for ladylike
ladylike
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of ladylike
: polite and quiet in a way that has traditionally been considered suited to a woman
See the full definition for ladylike in the English Language Learners Dictionary
ladylike
adjective
la·dy·like
| \ ˈlā-dē-ˌlīk
\
\
Kids Definition of ladylike
: suitable to a woman or girl who behaves in a polite way
It was not ladylike to yell like that.— Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prairie