What does womanish mean?
Womanish is an adjective meaning characteristic of a woman, or more specifically resembling a woman in a way regarded as excessive, effeminate, or insufficiently manly. It is often applied to behavior, attitudes, clothing, or ways of speaking, and its usual modern connotation is disparaging rather than neutral or complimentary. For example, describing a man's emotional response as womanish can imply that the response is weak, overly emotional, or inappropriate for someone expected to be masculine. The word is formed from woman and the suffix -ish, but its meaning has become more evaluative than those elements alone would suggest. It is also a revealing word because it exposes a cultural assumption that certain qualities conventionally labeled feminine should be treated differently when attributed to men. Although sometimes used in older or literary contexts, womanish now frequently appears in criticism of gendered behavior and attitudes.
adjectiveCharacteristic of a woman or perceived as insufficiently manly; effeminate. The word is usually disparaging and is used chiefly of behavior, attitudes, or appearances considered feminine in a way the speaker regards as inappropriate.
- Resembling a woman in behavior, appearance, or manner, especially in a way considered excessive, weak, or inappropriate.
- Effeminate or perceived as lacking masculine qualities.
"The director dismissed her measured response as womanish and assigned the argument to a man."
"The director dismissed her measured response as womanish and assigned the argument to a man."
"She considered the ruffled blouse too womanish for the boardroom."
Built from woman + -ish, it began as a simple label but became a verdict: “not manly enough.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does womanish come from?
Womanish was formed in English from woman and the adjective-forming suffix -ish, itself ultimately associated with Old English -isc. The literal construction suggests “like a woman” or “characteristic of a woman,” but in modern usage it generally adds a critical implication of excessive femininity or lack of manliness. It shares the element woman with forms such as womanhood, womanlike, and womanly.
How womanish is actually used
The term is mainly informal or literary and is generally critical. Its use may reinforce sexist assumptions that particular behavior, clothing, or emotional expression is unsuitable for men.
Easily confused with womanish
Womanly usually means having qualities conventionally associated with women, often approvingly, whereas womanish typically carries a disparaging implication of excessive femininity or insufficient manliness.