mannishness
Boyish quality, feminized
Mannishness is the quality of resembling or behaving like a man, typically applied to women.
It may describe physical features, dress, bearing, or demeanor that seem masculine: There was a mannishness to her stride that commanded attention.
The word often carries judgment—implying deviation from feminine norms—though it can be neutral or even admiring depending on context.
Masculine strength and potency
- machismoExcessive masculine pride
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
- bravadoPretense of fearlessness
- toughnessResilient durability under strain
strength · muscular · brawny · ruggedness · athletic · robust · stalwart · warrior
Superior influence over others
- forcefulnessPowerful assertive quality
- confidenceSelf-assurance or trust
- decisivenessAbility to choose firmly
- commandingExerting strong authority
authoritative · directness · aggressiveness · self-assuredness · boldness · firmness · competitiveness · ambition
Unfeminine in manner
- unladylikeBreaching feminine propriety norms
- butchMasculine in manner
- brusqueAbrupt and dismissive
- bluntDull or tactlessly direct
no-nonsense · stoic · unadorned · plain · austere · practical · sturdy · tough
Wide across the back
- angularSharp-edged or rawboned
- close-croppedCut very short
- flat-chestedHaving small breasts
- heavysetThick-bodied and sturdy
Gender-based prejudice
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- caricatureExaggerated comic depiction
- pigeonholeClassify too rigidly
generalization · stigma · labeling · misconception · typecast · expectation · cliché · traditional
virility
Masculine strength and potency
- machismoExcessive masculine pride
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
- bravadoPretense of fearlessness
toughness · strength · muscular · brawny · ruggedness · athletic · robust · stalwart · warrior · dominance
dominance
Superior influence over others
- forcefulnessPowerful assertive quality
- confidenceSelf-assurance or trust
- decisivenessAbility to choose firmly
commanding · authoritative · directness · aggressiveness · self-assuredness · boldness · firmness · competitiveness · ambition · control
tomboyish
Unfeminine in manner
- unladylikeBreaching feminine propriety norms
- butchMasculine in manner
- brusqueAbrupt and dismissive
blunt · no-nonsense · stoic · unadorned · plain · austere · practical · sturdy · tough · straightforward
broad-shouldered
Wide across the back
- angularSharp-edged or rawboned
- close-croppedCut very short
- flat-chestedHaving small breasts
heavyset · husky · stocky · strapping · lanky · rangy · sinewy
sexism
Gender-based prejudice
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- caricatureExaggerated comic depiction
pigeonhole · generalization · stigma · labeling · misconception · typecast · expectation · cliché · traditional · archetype
mannishnessfemininity
Female nature or character
womanliness · womanishness · womanhood · femaleness · girlishness