girlish

[ gur-lish ]

adjective

1. of, like, or befitting a girl or girlhood:

   girlish laughter.

ˈgirlish

/ ˈɡɜːlɪʃ /

adjective

1. of or like a girl in looks, behaviour, innocence, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈgirlishness, noun
• ˈgirlishly, adverb

Other Words From

• girlish·ly adverb
• girlish·ness noun
• un·girlish adjective
• un·girlish·ly adverb
• un·girlish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of girlish¹

First recorded in 1555–65; girl + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

She wears mini skirts with girlish ruffles and small kitten heels to begin with, before adopting her distinctive pinup aesthetic as she dives deeper into the music industry and her self-destructive habits.

From New York Times

Her dress may have been all wrong, but it was a pleasing pink, girlish like herself.

From Literature

I tried to keep my cool but couldn’t resist a girlish squeal.

From Los Angeles Times

Make that pleasures: carnal, material, romantic, sonic, competitive and, if necessary, vengeful, all with a girlish nonchalance.

From New York Times

In her spartan bedroom, where her pink cellphone with its heart decals and delicate ribbon is the lone glimmer of girlish joy, she wonders out loud why this man hurts her.

From Seattle Times