matronly /ˈmeɪtɹənli/adjective 3adverb 1forms 2 adjective3 •In the capacity of a matron; serving as a housekeeper or head nurse.The door opened, but it was to admit a middle-aged matronly lady with good-humour and domestic capability proclaimed by every detail of her smiling face and easy manner. — 1923 •Having the appearance of a mature woman, often of larger physical stature and somewhat unkempt or dowdy.27 April 2009, LA Times https://web.archive.org/web/20090427074230/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedishrag/2009/04/susan-boyle-gets-a-makeover-is-she-going-hollywood-already.html Gone is her matronly gray frizzy hair and those bushy brows, frumpy frock and old lady pearls. •Exuding the authority, wisdom, power, and intelligence of an experienced woman.the matronly upper arms girls know about life and love and losing — 1977 adverb1 •In the manner of a matron.The mother dressed matronly, in a bonnet and in black, always sat between her two big daughters, firm, directing, and repressed. — 1906 formsmore matronly · most matronly
