Womanish
adjective
Similar to or characteristic of a woman, especially when seen as weak or emotional.
He was criticized for showing womanish sensitivity.

Often appears as...
- show womanish behavior
- display womanish traits
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
adjective
Dealing with or interested in domestic matters or activities.
His womanish interest in fashion was surprising to some.

Often appears as...
- womanish interest
- womanish concern
Usage tips
Neutral
adjective
Similar to or characteristic of a woman, especially when seen as weak or emotional.
He was criticized for showing womanish sensitivity.

Often appears as...
- show womanish behavior
- display womanish traits
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
adjective
Dealing with or interested in domestic matters or activities.
His womanish interest in fashion was surprising to some.

Often appears as...
- womanish interest
- womanish concern
Usage tips
Neutral
Definition 1 of 2

Gender Stereotypes
The term can perpetuate stereotypes implying women are innately weak or emotional.

His peers mistakenly labeled his compassion as 'womanish' rather than seeing it as human empathy.
Potentially Offensive
Using 'womanish' to describe weakness may offend, as it suggests being like a woman is negative.

Calling the young boy's tears 'womanish' upset both him and his sister, who saw it as an insult.
Colloquial Caution
The word is casual and can be seen as dismissive in formal or respectful contexts.

At the formal ceremony, his 'womanish' remark about the speaker's tears was frowned upon.
Gender Stereotypes
The term can perpetuate stereotypes implying women are innately weak or emotional.

His peers mistakenly labeled his compassion as 'womanish' rather than seeing it as human empathy.
Potentially Offensive
Using 'womanish' to describe weakness may offend, as it suggests being like a woman is negative.

Calling the young boy's tears 'womanish' upset both him and his sister, who saw it as an insult.
Colloquial Caution
The word is casual and can be seen as dismissive in formal or respectful contexts.

At the formal ceremony, his 'womanish' remark about the speaker's tears was frowned upon.
Gender Stereotypes
The term can perpetuate stereotypes implying women are innately weak or emotional.

His peers mistakenly labeled his compassion as 'womanish' rather than seeing it as human empathy.
Potentially Offensive
Using 'womanish' to describe weakness may offend, as it suggests being like a woman is negative.

Calling the young boy's tears 'womanish' upset both him and his sister, who saw it as an insult.
Colloquial Caution
The word is casual and can be seen as dismissive in formal or respectful contexts.

At the formal ceremony, his 'womanish' remark about the speaker's tears was frowned upon.
Quote examples
Alice Walker
American Author
I just like to have words that describe things correctly. Now to me, 'black feminist' does not do that. I need a word that is organic, that really comes out of the culture, that really expresses the spirit that we see in black women. And it's just... womanish.

Quote examples
Ovid
Roman Poet
Whether you call my heart affectionate, or you call it womanish: I confess, that to my misfortune, it is soft.

Quote examples
Alice Walker
American Author
I just like to have words that describe things correctly. Now to me, 'black feminist' does not do that. I need a word that is organic, that really comes out of the culture, that really expresses the spirit that we see in black women. And it's just... womanish.

Quote examples
Ovid
Roman Poet
Whether you call my heart affectionate, or you call it womanish: I confess, that to my misfortune, it is soft.

Example 1 of 2
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