demeanor

noun

de·​mean·​or di-ˈmē-nər 

: behavior toward others : outward manner

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms

• behavior
• actions
• attitude

Choose the Right Synonym for demeanor

bearing, deportment, demeanor, mien, manner, carriage mean the outward manifestation of personality or attitude.

bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.

a woman of regal bearing

deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.

your deportment was atrocious

demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.

the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter

mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor.

a mien of supreme self-satisfaction

manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others.

the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders

carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking.

the kind of carriage learned at boarding school

Examples of demeanor in a Sentence

Staffs like the one at Veritas have come a long way from the days when sommeliers … intimidated diners with their overbearing demeanor and French accents. —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

Recent Examples on the Web

Horford had already left the locker room by the time reporters entered on Sunday night, but his impact and demeanor is something that has been felt by his teammates during his brief stint in the Bay. —Nick Friedell, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025

Put a quick stop to any slobbering and jumping on people, which can ruin their clothes as well as their otherwise pleasant demeanor. —Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025

Big horse, calm demeanor On Friday and Saturday nights, people might just bump into Ross on Lower Broadway. —Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025

Arians are known for their impulsive and courageous demeanor. —Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

demean entry 2 + -or entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for demeanor

• convener
• convenor
• demeanour
• cleaner
• diener
• gleaner
• greener
• keener
• leaner
• lienor
• meaner
• screener

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

demeanor

noun

de·​mean·​or di-ˈmē-nər 

: outward manner or behavior : conduct, bearing

Legal Definition

demeanor

noun

de·​mea·​nor di-ˈmē-nər 

: outward manner : way of conducting oneself

Note: A jury may consider a witness's demeanor on the stand in determining the witness's credibility.