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

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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

Take all these interrelated financial decisions is a step-by-step manner and know that everything doesn’t have to have happen at once. — Peter Dunn, USA TODAY, "Too many big financial decisions at once creates impasse for new graduate and girlfriend," 8 July 2018 The counterargument is that, despite the central bank’s protests, the timing and manner of these cuts matter. — The Economist, "China starts easing monetary policy. Or does it?," 30 June 2018 Walking in pace with an elderly person — nobility or not — are basic manners in almost every culture, noted the Times. — Meagan Fredette, refinery29.com, "Trump Ends Tumultuous U.K. Visit With A Breach In Royal Protocol," 14 July 2018 The county Medical Examiner's Office was called in to determine the cause and manner of death in the case. — City News Service, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Inmate who died at Vista jail ID'd," 13 July 2018 The judge said the rapid manner in which the pension reform bill was passed — Republican legislators substituted language in an unrelated sewage bill to pass it within six hours — was unconstitutional. — Tom Loftus, The Courier-Journal, "Andy Beshear becomes first to announce run for Kentucky governor," 9 July 2018 And the manner in which some died — trapped between barred windows and roaring flames — echoes this. — New York Times, "A Fire Killed 32 at a New Orleans Gay Bar. This Artist Didn’t Forget.," 9 July 2018 An autopsy is not yet complete that would reveal the exact cause and manner of Anthony’s death, Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said Wednesday at a news conference announcing Leiva’s arrest. — Alexia Fernandez, PEOPLE.com, "California Boy, 10, Who Came Out as Gay Before Death Was Tortured for Days: Prosecutors," 4 July 2018 And although there is so far no set answer on the most effective manner in which to achieve these ends, more focus needs to be put on improving and perfecting strategies, as opposed to deciding that nothing can be done at all. — Lincoln Anthony Blades, Teen Vogue, "Implicit Bias Training: What It Is and How It Works," 29 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.