approval If you describe a man's behaviour or appearance as manly, you approve of it because it shows qualities that are considered typical of a man, such as strength or courage. He was the ideal of manly beauty. + manliness man·li·ness He has no doubts about his manliness. having qualities that people expect and admire in a man, such as being brave and strong = masculine
in a manful manner; with qualities thought to befit a man; "having said her say Peggy manfully shouldered her burden and prepared to break up yet another home"