manner

noun

man·​ner ˈma-nər 

1

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 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

2

a

: kind, sort

what manner of man is he

b

: kinds, sorts

all manner of problems

mannerless

ˈma-nər-ləs 

adjective

Phrases

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

Synonyms

• etiquette
• form
• mores
• proprieties

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

This treatment offers the potential for full recovery, provided it is administered in a timely manner. —Mill Etienne, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

But the manner of their leaving will probably also be taken into account. —Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, 14 May 2025

Video Shows Brothers, 7 and 9, Engaged in Armed Standoff with Police After Refusing to Turn Over Loaded Gun An autopsy report released soon after determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head and the manner of death to be homicide. —Chris Spargo, People.com, 14 May 2025

Chef-owner Anthony Wang — who cooked at restaurants such as Destroyer, Auburn and Ink — is exploring the identity of Chinese American cuisine in a manner both true to history and to his own story. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing manner

• all manner of
• bedside manner
• grand manner
• in a manner of speaking
• not by any manner of means
• what manner of

Rhymes for manner

• banner
• branner
• canner
• fanner
• kanner
• manor
• planner
• scanner
• spanner
• tanner

Kids Definition

manner

noun

man·​ner ˈman-ər 

1

a

: sort entry 1 sense 1a, kind

what manner of fools are they

b

: various kinds

—usually used in the phrase all manner of

2

a

: normal behavior : habit, custom

spoke bluntly as was her manner

b

: a way of acting or proceeding

worked in a brisk manner

c

: style entry 1 sense 1

painted in the artist's early manner

3

plural

a

: social conduct or rules of conduct as shown in the prevailing customs

b

: characteristic or habitual conduct : behavior

taught the child good manners

especially : polite behavior