manner

noun man·ner \ ˈma-nər \

Definition of manner

1 a :kind, sort

what manner of man is he

b :kinds, sorts

all manner of problems

2 a (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 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 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

—

mannerless

play \-ləs\ adjective

— 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

See manner defined for English-language learners

See manner defined for kids

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 of manner from the Web

The manner in which the opportunity for MLS was presented to the City was ill-timed given other pressing concerns that still remain.

— charlotteobserver, "Charlotte’s District 4 City Council candidates give their views on 4 key issues," 23 Aug. 2017
No child should be talked about in the below manner-in real life or online.

— Washington Post, "White House renews request for privacy for Trump’s young son," 22 Aug. 2017
Still, the manner in which it can be dropped is not unusual.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "New Handgun Chosen by U.S. Army Goes Off If Dropped," 9 Aug. 2017
His manner of death is accident, according to Deputy Coroner Charles Edelen.

— darcy costello, The Courier-Journal, "Coroner identifies 2-year-old gunshot victim, rules manner of death as accident," 4 Aug. 2017
After my daughter got thrown off the stage, security got the other kids off the stage in an orderly manner.

— greg garrison, AL.com, "Singer Matisyahu pushed Birmingham rabbi's daughter off stage," 2 Aug. 2017
Taxes can be paid in a variety of manners, including by mail, in person at the county treasurer's office in Wheaton, through various banks, using wire transfers, and online with a credit card or bank account information.

— michelle mullins, Naperville Sun, "Naperville News Digest: Flood victim benefit, March primaries, Junior Tour de Naperville," 28 July 2017
And that candidate could fire Robert Mueller or otherwise abuse the department’s powers in a manner Trump obviously craves.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "How Trump Can Make His Authoritarian Fantasies Real," 25 July 2017
Whittaker herself was prepared for some manner of outrage associated with her casting.

— joanna robinson, HWD, "British Publications under Fire for Printing Nude Photos of New Doctor Who," 17 July 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of manner

Middle English manere, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *manuaria, from Latin, feminine of manuarius of the hand, from manus hand — more at manual

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 12th century

See Words from the same year

manner Synonyms

Synonyms

etiquette, form, mores, proprieties

Related Words

amenities, civilities, pleasantries; bearing, demeanor, deportment, mien; courtesy, decorum, mannerliness, politeness; formalities, protocol, rules; air, attitude, carriage, poise, polish, pose, posture, presence; custom, habit, pattern, practice (also practise), trick, way, wont; convention, fashion, mode, style

Synonym Discussion of 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.