ladylike

adjective

la·​dy·​like ˈlā-dē-ˌlīk How to pronounce ladylike (audio)
1
: of a kind traditionally considered suitable to or attractive for a woman
Mrs. Douglas arrived for the March 1st meeting at park headquarters wearing her white spring coat, her ladylike Panama hat, and a single strand of white beads.Dava Sobel
Yves Saint Laurent gives a perfectly proper, ladylike suit a powerful punch by cutting it in python.The New York Times Magazine
Charlotte, who is known to be a tomboy, topped off her ladylike look with a matching bow in her hair.Aurora Bosotti
2
: having or showing the appearance or good manners traditionally associated with aristocratic women
her polite, ladylike mother
ladylike elegance
… it didn't seem quite ladylike to say something like that, straight out.Katherine Paterson
Jill was putting ladylike bites of turnip in her mouth and washing them down with long, quiet sips of water.Molly Tripp
3
: feeling or showing too much concern about elegance or propriety
This plot turns on the sisters' ladylike reluctance to examine the question of their kittens' sex too directly …June Howard
4
: having qualities traditionally associated with a woman : womanly
And Vincent hired a voice coach to teach her to talk like a guy … . Ned also came with a dusting of fake stubble for Vincent's smooth, pink, ladylike cheeks …Lev Grossman
Each step he takes, delicate, cautious, even ladylike, the step, perhaps, of a man whose eyesight is not altogether reliable …Robert Kantwell

Examples of ladylike in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The sheer black tights and pointed-toe pumps are very ladylike, but no mob-wife look would be complete without that little bit of extra bling, so Rihanna added a flashy diamond anklet. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 25 Jan. 2024 Below, 11 forever-chic ways to master ladylike dressing for spring. Laura Jackson, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2024 Even a cursory Google search of the inaugural Golden Globes will demonstrate that most famous women have yet to divert from the elegant, ladylike codes of traditional red carpet dressing. Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2024 Is Nicole Kidman ushering in a ladylike fashion era to kickstart the new year? Alex Kessler, Glamour, 18 Dec. 2023 For a lunch outing in Beverly Hills (where else?), Lopez dressed accordingly in a classic, ladylike outfit that represented a departure from her usual outré style. British Vogue, Glamour, 23 Nov. 2023 This cropped cardigan jacket from J.Crew is elegant, ladylike, and goes with just about everything. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 17 Aug. 2023 Headbands, the classic ladylike accessory mostly associated with childhood photos and country club gatherings, are one of 2023’s biggest fashion trends, endorsed by both designers and street style stars. Frances Solá-Santiago, refinery29.com, 20 July 2023 Gucci Rosso is a deep and rich shade of oxblood, just a few shades darker than the middle stripe in Gucci’s signature tri-stripe motif and not unlike a very ladylike burgundy rouge. José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ladylike.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of ladylike was in 1534

Dictionary Entries Near ladylike

Cite this Entry

“Ladylike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ladylike. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ladylike

adjective
la·​dy·​like ˈlād-ē-ˌlīk How to pronounce ladylike (audio)
1
: resembling a lady in appearance or manners
2
: suitable to a lady
ladylike behavior

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