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

Heaps of plot aren’t required, of course, but one watches Color of the Sun with a constant itch for something to burst through the movie’s mannered stillness and liven up the picture. — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

The 25-year-old California singer-songwriter staked out his turf by taking pride in the ordinariness of his hit, from the mild-mannered vocals to the drama-free sincerity of his romantic imagery. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026

Electric motors deliver their power immediately, and the Trailseeker lunges forward with an enthusiasm that may surprise anyone expecting the traditional mild-mannered Subaru experience. — Tim Jackson, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2026

And a well-mannered person isn’t necessarily a mild-mannered person. — Annie Joy Williams, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 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