old-womanliness

An elderly woman displays old-womanliness by carefully tending to her garden.

Definition

Noun (uncountable): The quality or state of being like an old woman, characterized by traits such as fussiness, timidity, or exaggerated concern over trivial matters.

Usage Examples

• (The quality of being overly concerned with minor issues.)
• (His tendency to act fussily or timidly, like an elderly woman.)

Advanced Usage

• "to exhibit old-womanliness": to show traits of fussiness or timidity.
  • He exhibited old-womanliness by repeatedly checking the locks. (He showed excessive caution and worry.)

Variants and Related Words

• Old-womanish (adj): having the characteristics of an old woman, especially being fussy or timid.
  • Her old-womanish habits included hoarding old newspapers. (Fussy, overly cautious habits.)

Synonyms

• Fussiness: excessive concern over small or unimportant matters.
• Timidity: lack of confidence or courage; shyness.
• Prudishness: an exaggerated sense of modesty or propriety.

Related Idioms

• Like an old woman: behaving in a fussy, timid, or overly cautious manner.
  • Stop fussing like an old woman — we have plenty of time. (Stop being overly anxious or picky.)