What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wifely
Example
She has a wifely devotion to her husband. [wifely: adjective]
Example
She spent the day doing wifely chores around the house. [wifely: adverb]
matronly
Example
She looked matronly in her long skirt and sensible shoes. [matronly: adjective]
Example
The matronly nurse oversaw the care of the patients. [matronly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Matronly is more commonly used than wifely in everyday language. Matronly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while wifely is less common and may be considered outdated or sexist in some contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wifely and matronly?
Matronly is typically associated with a formal and respectful tone, while wifely is more casual and informal. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.
