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Glite Dictionary
old-maidish

old-maidish

9.9
Being very fussy about neatness and proper behaviour
  • adjective
  • /oʊldˈmeɪdɪʃ/
  • Offensive
translation icon : mojigato (ofensivo, arcaico)
  • Her old-maidish insistence on perfectly arranged cutlery amused the younger family members.

Examples

  • The teacher's old-maidish attitude made her classroom spotless but a little intimidating.

  • That dress looks a bit old-maidish for a night out.

  • He was known for his old-maidish attention to the smallest household chores.

  • Her old-maidish attitude made her unpopular at the party.

  • Her old-maidish penchant for tidiness made her home look like a showroom, with every item in its place.

  • The old-maidish way she arranged her books by color and size reflected her need for order.

  • Neighbors often teased him for his old-maidish habit of dusting the furniture every day.

Synonyms

prissy
vsold-maidish
  • Informal
13 7.9

Too fussy about being neat and proper

is similar but focuses more on propriety and neat appearance
prim
vsold-maidish
4 7.0

Very formal and proper in a stiff, old-fashioned way

is more about fussiness and neatness tied to a stereotype
primy
vsold-maidish
  • Archaic
9.9

Too formal and neat in a way that feels cold

is the same fussiness but tied to an unmarried older stereotype
old-womanish
vsold-maidish
  • Offensive
9.3

Being too fussy about small things in a way seen as typical of older women

is the same fussiness but specifically linked to the spinster stereotype

Antonyms

carefree
41 2.9

Not feeling worried or responsible

easygoing
22 2.6

Being calm and relaxed and not easily upset

How Prim

old-maidish
  • Offensive
9.9
prissy
  • Informal
13 7.9
prim
8 7.9
proper
596 2.2

Surface Forms

old-maidish positive

Morphology

old-maidish = old-maid (transparent) = old + maid + ish

The adjective is formed from the noun 'old-maid' with the productive suffix '-ish' meaning 'like' or 'characteristic of', so the meaning is directly derivable.

Etymology

Old-maidish comes from old-maid ('an older woman who never married') plus the ending -ish ('like'), so it simply means 'like an old maid'. Because an 'old maid' was often thought to be very proper and fussy, old-maidish describes someone who is too prim or worried about neatness.