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Glite Dictionary
matronly

matronly

3 6.8
Has the calm, caring manner of an older dignified woman
  • adjective
  • /ˈmeɪtrənli/
translation icon : maternal
  • Betsy stole a glance at Andrea Hammermill, the plump, matronly woman sitting beside her.
  • matronly woman
  • matronly dress
  • matronly lady

For me, this seems a little frumpy, like a little matronly, if you will.

Examples

  • "The bus driver, a matronly woman with a warm smile, said coaxingly, 'Come on, Trish.'"

    Fiction book (1991)

  • I almost walked right out again, except for a pleasant, matronly lady who talked to me about how natural my visit was.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • For what it's worth, if a girl like that takes the stand, you better hope that every jury member is a very matronly woman.

    Blue Seduction (2009)

  • The woman wore a matronly gown and a ridiculous bonnet.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Across the courtyard, a matronly woman leans out a window, hanging her laundry.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • But she possesses her father's dark features and a matronly suburban look that would open temple doors across the continent.

    Academic text (2007)

  • MAUREEN HALEY Fitzmorris, struggling into the Dior gown she had bought ten years ago, looked at her matronly reflection and realized, not without amusement, that she had finally grown into her name.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • An inscription on the front of the monument celebrates her virtues of religious devotion, prudence, matronly modesty, and constancy, as well as her illustrious family connections.

    Academic text (1994)

  • The matronly figure in the park offered kind advice to the children playing nearby.

  • Her matronly demeanor made everyone feel at ease during the family gathering.

Synonyms

womanly
vsmatronly
12 3.4

Being gentle, kind, or strong in ways often seen in women

is more about dignified, caring mature presence and formal authority
grandmotherly
vsmatronly
2 3.0

Being warm, gentle, and caring like a kind older woman who comforts others

is more formal and dignified rather than openly doting or playful
mumsy
vsmatronly
  • Archaic
1 8.1

Gentle and old-fashioned like a mother

is more dignified and respectable, not unfashionable or outdated

Antonyms

immature
108 3.5

Behaving like a child in a way that shows little emotional growth

youthful
85 3.1

Having the energy and fresh look of a young person

How Matronly

matronly
3 6.8
motherly
16 2.3
mature
199 3.3
youthful
85 3.1

Surface Forms

matronly positive

Morphology

matronly = matron (transparent) = matron + ly

Formed regularly from the noun 'matron' with '-ly' meaning 'characteristic of a matron'; the derivation is predictable for learners who know 'matron'.

Etymology

Matronly comes from the old Latin word matrona, which meant 'married woman' or 'mother' and gave English the word matron. So when someone seems matronly, they appear dignified and motherly, like an older woman who cares for others.