What does tomboyishness mean?
Tomboyishness is a noun meaning the quality or manner of being tomboyish: behaving, dressing, or appearing in ways traditionally associated with boys, especially in the case of a girl. The word can describe an energetic, straightforward, physically active, or conventionally masculine style, but it also reflects the tendency to divide qualities into masculine and feminine categories. In contemporary writing it may be used approvingly to emphasize independence, confidence, or a rejection of restrictive gender expectations. At the same time, because its central meaning is tied to a conventional gender stereotype, it can sound old-fashioned or unnecessarily restrictive. Tomboyishness is related to the adjective tomboyish and the noun tomboy, but unlike those words it refers to a quality rather than directly to a person or a manner of being. It is most useful in literary, biographical, or analytical contexts where a precise name for that character or presentation is wanted.
nounThe quality or character of being tomboyish, especially the traditionally masculine behavior, appearance, or manner associated with a girl. The word can be descriptive or approving, though it may sound somewhat old-fashioned or overly concerned with conventional gender roles.
- The quality, manner, or appearance regarded as traditionally boyish, especially in a girl.
"She wore her hair cropped and her clothes loose, embracing her own tomboyishness without apology."
"Her casual clothes and easy confidence gave her a distinct tomboyishness."
"The essay treats the character's tomboyishness as a source of freedom rather than a sign of conformity."
The regular plural is grammatically possible, but the noun is normally uncountable and the plural is rarely used.
"Her performances displayed different kinds of tomboyishness."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tomboyishness come from?
The word is formed from “tomboy,” the adjective “-ish,” and the noun-forming suffix “-ness.” “Tomboy” is an English word whose deeper origin is uncertain, so a precise historical derivation should not be asserted. In modern usage, “tomboyishness” developed as a term for behavior or appearance regarded as characteristically boyish.
How tomboyishness is actually used
This is an uncommon, somewhat dated word with an informal-to-literary register. It is chiefly associated with girls or women, although its underlying sense can be applied more broadly. Modern usage may be approving, while older contexts sometimes treated the quality as unconventional or undesirable.
Easily confused with tomboyishness
“Tomboyish” is an adjective describing someone or something that has boyish qualities, whereas “tomboyishness” is the noun naming that quality or manner.
A “tomboy” is a person, traditionally a girl, while “tomboyishness” refers to the quality associated with that person.