Skip to main content
true manliness

true manliness

7.6
Good qualities like honesty, courage, and respect that show a man treats others well
  • noun
  • /tru ˈmænlinəs/
translation icon : verdadera masculinidad
  • Do you believe that true manliness still exists today?

Examples

  • He believed that true manliness could be measured by a person's honesty and compassion.

  • The novel explores themes of honor and true manliness in the face of adversity.

  • They admired his true manliness and the way he treated others with dignity.

  • He embodies true manliness in every aspect of his life.

  • His dedication to helping others reflects the true manliness that society values.

  • Many believe that true manliness includes treating women with respect and kindness.

  • In his speech, he emphasized that true manliness is about having the courage to stand up for what is right.

Synonyms

manhood
vstrue manliness
79 3.3

A person who is an adult male and who shows courage or strength

focuses on ideal moral qualities rather than simply adult status or age
manliness
vstrue manliness
8 4.4

The qualities people often expect from men, like strength and courage

is about moral qualities like integrity and respect rather than only strength
manfulness
vstrue manliness
  • Archaic
8.6

A quality of bravery and strength that people expect from adult men

emphasizes genuine ethical and respectful traits beyond mere traditional virtues

Antonyms

133 1.4

Lack of physical or mental strength that makes someone less able to act

unmanliness
  • Offensive
8.2

The state of being seen as not brave or strong by other people

How Manly

machismo
9 7.7
true manliness
7.6
manliness
8 4.4
unmanliness
  • Offensive
8.2

Surface Forms

Morphology

true + manliness

The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'true' (genuine) modifying 'manliness' (qualities of being a man), so 'true manliness' simply denotes genuine or ideal masculine qualities. This adjective+noun pattern is a standard, cross-linguistic compositional structure, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the phrase's meaning.

Etymology

The phrase true manliness creates a clear image: not loud shows of strength but a person who quietly keeps promises and helps others. Here true means 'real' or 'honest' and manliness points to qualities like 'courage' and 'respect'. So true manliness means those inner, genuine qualities of a man rather than just roughness or show.