ladylike
Graceful and refined
Ladylike describes behavior, manners, or appearance considered proper or refined for a woman—polite, graceful, restrained.
The word assumes traditional standards of feminine conduct: Sit up straight and be ladylike.
It can carry approving or disapproving tones depending on context—sometimes praise for elegance, sometimes criticism implying excessive primness or enforcing gender expectations.
Showing respectful consideration
- well-manneredPolite and respectful
- politeShowing good manners
- decorousSocially appropriate, dignified
- properSocially appropriate
respectful · gracious · civil · tactful · considerate · cordial · diplomatic · genteel
Modestly reserved in manner
- modestLacking in pretension
- reservedRestrained in manner
- restrainedHeld under control
- coyAffectedly modest
gentle · soft-spoken · discreet · unassuming · meek · docile · submissive · chaste
courteous
Showing respectful consideration
- well-manneredPolite and respectful
- politeShowing good manners
- decorousSocially appropriate, dignified
proper · respectful · gracious · civil · tactful · considerate · cordial · diplomatic · genteel · etiquette
demure
Modestly reserved in manner
- modestLacking in pretension
- reservedRestrained in manner
- restrainedHeld under control
coy · gentle · soft-spoken · discreet · unassuming · meek · docile · submissive · chaste · virtuous
dainty
Delicately small and pretty
pretty · neat · immaculate · well-groomed · pristine · tidy · prim · proper · elegant · graceful
graceful
Elegant in movement
- poisedCalm and controlled
- refinedPurified or cultured
- sophisticatedWorldly and cultured
elegant · chic · stylish · tasteful · dignified · polished · cultivated · genteel · well-bred · finishing school
- mannersetiquette, manners, polite, rude, politeness
- gender rolesgender roles, masculinity, femininity, gender stereotypes, traditional roles
- feminine traitsfeminine, womanly, girlish, demure, motherly
- gender traitsmasculine, feminine, male, female, manly
- restrainedrestrained, reserved, subdued, controlled, muted