old-womanish

[ ohld-woom-uh-nish ]

adjective

1. Sometimes Offensive. having characteristics considered typical of an old woman, as excessive fussiness or timidity.

Sensitive Note

This term is sometimes perceived as insulting because it reinforces stereotypes.

Other Words From

• old-woman·ish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of old-womanish¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

It is worse than childish; it is old-womanish.

From Project Gutenberg

Whether her hair was abundant or not no one could tell, for an old-womanish cap with narrow ruffle so covered her head that only a faint blonde aureole could be seen beneath it.

From Project Gutenberg

Surely my old-womanish babbling has not upset you like this!

From Project Gutenberg

Their odd old-mannish or old-womanish appearance, due more to their grotesque rags than to anything in the children themselves, betrays their race even without their chatter.

From Project Gutenberg

Again, there is no priest who does not confess that he was distracted, or failed to read his Preparatoria, or other old-womanish trifles of the kind.

From Project Gutenberg