mannered

adjective

man·​nered ˈma-nərd 

1

: having manners of a specified kind

well-mannered

2

a

: having or displaying a particular manner

b

: having an artificial or stilted character

… passages are so mannered as to be unintelligible …

—R. G. G. Price

Examples of mannered in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In return for her weird, digressive, and highly mannered manuscript, Lemann received a kill fee. —Brandy Jensen, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026

Borgli’s previous film, 2023’s Dream Scenario, featured Nicolas Cage as a mild-mannered academic who became famous after he mysteriously (and magically) wound up in total strangers’ dreams; that fame turned toxic, however, when his avatar in the dreams suddenly started assaulting people. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026

Niall is mild-mannered, repressed, and fearful of facing his sexuality. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 7 Apr. 2026

The other, meek and mild-mannered. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mannered

• ill-mannered
• mild-mannered
• well-mannered

Kids Definition

mannered

adjective

man·​nered ˈman-ərd 

: having manners of a specified kind

well-mannered

mild-mannered