matronly C2 Topic:Describing Qualities US /ˈmeɪtrənli/ UK /ˈmeɪtrənli/ See IPA manual Freq #79129 Meanings 1 adj having the dignified, caring, or authoritative qualities traditionally associated with a mature woman Her matronly manner immediately calmed the frightened children. 2 adj conventionally respectable but unfashionable or dowdy in appearance, sometimes disapproving The costume designer chose a matronly dress with a high collar. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 adj · having the dignified,... motherlydignifiedmature 2 adj · conventionally respectable... dowdystatelyconservative ↔ Opposites youthfulgirlish Word family Derived forms matronlinessunmatronly Related forms matronmaternalmotherly Appears in Phrases (1) See all matronly figure a mature, full body shape conventionally associated with a middle-aged woman Adjective + noun Etymology Formed from matron + -ly. Matron comes through French from Latin matrona, a married woman or woman of rank, itself related to mater, 'mother.' Topics Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives External links Google Images Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary # matronly **Type:** Word **Level:** C2 **Part of speech:** adj **IPA (US):** /ˈmeɪtrənli/ **IPA (UK):** /ˈmeɪtrənli/ **Frequency rank:** 79129 ## Meanings 1. having the dignified, caring, or authoritative qualities traditionally associated with a mature woman 2. conventionally respectable but unfashionable or dowdy in appearance, sometimes disapproving ## Examples - Her matronly manner immediately calmed the frightened children. - The costume designer chose a matronly dress with a high collar. ## Synonyms - motherly - dignified - mature - dowdy ## Antonyms - youthful - girlish ## Derived Forms - matronliness - unmatronly ## Related Forms - matron - maternal - motherly ## Etymology Formed from matron + -ly. Matron comes through French from Latin matrona, a married woman or woman of rank, itself related to mater, 'mother.' ## Topics - Describing Qualities - Word Formation & Derivatives markdown