adjective
- resembling or characteristic of a governess; prim, strict, or overly proper in manner
Usage: informal; often mildly derogatory
Examples
- She spoke in a governessy tone that made the children straighten up immediately.
- His governessy manner of correcting everyone’s grammar annoyed his friends.
- The new teacher had a rather governessy approach to classroom discipline.
- Her governessy disapproval was evident when she saw the messy room.
- He found her governessy lectures about proper behavior tiresome.
- The woman’s governessy insistence on perfect table manners made dinner uncomfortable.