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The history of demeanor begins with a threat: the word has its roots in Latin minārī, “to threaten.” A form of that word was used in contexts having to do with driving animals—that is, impelling them to move—and from this word developed more recent ancestors having to do with leading, guiding, and behaving. By the 14th century, English had a adopted a word out of this lineage: the verb demean meaning “to conduct or behave (oneself) usually in a proper manner.” (Another demean, defined as “to lower in character, status, or reputation,” entered the language later by means of another root.) The noun demeanor was formed in the following century through the addition of the suffix -or.
Examples of demeanor in a Sentence
Food & Wine, September 2002
Sam himself, a quiet young man with a rather shy demeanor, was somewhat bemused by all this attention.
—Lola Oberman, Bird Watcher's Digest, November/December 1994
her warm demeanor made us feel at home
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025
Robert is an accomplished but headstrong gastroenterologist whose demeanor makes Martin’s prickly bedside manner seem warm by comparison.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
In fact, one of the notable things about him in his fighting days was his brutality in the ring, and his soft-spoken demeanor outside it.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Boxers are also known for their playful, sometimes goofy demeanor and strong attachment to their owners.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demeanor
Cite this Entry
“Demeanor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demeanor. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
demeanor
noun
Legal Definition
demeanor
noun
Note: A jury may consider a witness's demeanor on the stand in determining the witness's credibility.
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