manner

noun

man·ner | \ ˈma-nər

Definition of manner

1a(1) : a characteristic or customary mode of acting : custom stopped to speak, after the manner of the country —Ellen Glasgow

(2) : a mode of procedure or way of acting : fashion responded in a lively manner

(3) : method of artistic execution (see execution sense 1) or mode of presentation : style offers plenty of room for many jazz manners Wilder Hobson

b manners plural : social conduct or rules of conduct as shown in the prevalent customs Victorian manners

c : characteristic or distinctive bearing (see bearing sense 1), air, or deportment his poised gracious manner

d manners plural

(1) : habitual conduct or deportment : behavior mind your manners

(2) : good manners Someone should teach you some manners.

e : a distinguished or stylish air taught to acquire a manner suitable to her station

2a : kind, sort what manner of man is he

b : kinds, sorts all manner of problems

to the manner born

: fitted by or as if by birth or rearing to a particular position, role, or status was not to the manner born, and did not go to prep schools or to an Ivy League school —Peter Tryell

Other Words from manner Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about manner

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for manner

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

method, mode, manner, way, fashion, system mean the means taken or procedure followed in achieving an end. method implies an orderly logical arrangement usually in steps. effective teaching methods mode implies an order or course followed by custom, tradition, or personal preference. the preferred mode of transportation manner is close to mode but may imply a procedure or method that is individual or distinctive. an odd manner of conducting way is very general and may be used for any of the preceding words. has her own way of doing things fashion may suggest a peculiar or characteristic way of doing something. rushing about in his typical fashion system suggests a fully developed or carefully formulated method often emphasizing rational orderliness. a filing system

Examples of manner in a Sentence

She has a very forceful manner of speaking. I objected to the manner in which the decision was made. Some people have no manners. Someone should teach you some manners! He forgot his manners and reached across the table for the salt. He painted this picture in his early manner.

Recent Examples on the Web

Willa’s real family – husband, sons – are cavalier to the point of cruelty with her; these new people need her, and set about rescuing her, in typical Tylerian fashion, from her own manners. — Charles Finch, USA TODAY, "Time heals family wounds in Anne Tyler's lovely new novel, 'Clock Dance'," 9 July 2018 In many ways, the really improbable event of recent decades was the manner in which so much of the world experienced stability and predictability. — Felix Salmon, WIRED, "Welcome To The Highly Probable World of Improbability," 5 July 2018 Philadelphia crowds aren’t particularly known for their good manners, either. — Inga Saffron, Philly.com, "Will a new riverfront concert venue close the gap between Fishtown and the Delaware - or widen it?," 28 June 2018 According to Massachusetts Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Henry N. Nields, his manner of death was suicide and the cause was asphyxia by hanging. — Adam Carlson, PEOPLE.com, "What We Know About Aaron Hernandez's Former Fiancée and Her New Baby," 25 June 2018 Hughes impressed with his serious manner, similar to Larkin. — Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Red Wings 'have to get it right' in draft crucial to rebuild," 21 June 2018 Internet users praised the Japanese fans for bringing their manners to the pitch. — Casey Quackenbush, Time, "Everyone Is Cheering for These Japanese Soccer Fans Who Cleaned Up the World Cup Stadium," 20 June 2018 The gestation of his ultimate manner accorded in date and in feeling with the catastrophe of the war. — Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, "Giacometti’s Skinny Sublimity," 6 June 2018 Keep things in perspective and remember your manners. — Scott Craven, azcentral, "Recline safely, don't pack tuna, and other ways not to be a jerk at 30,000 feet," 30 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'manner.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.