mannerism

noun

man·​ner·​ism ˈma-nə-ˌri-zəm 

1

a

: exaggerated or affected (see affected entry 2 sense 1) adherence to a particular style or manner : artificiality, preciosity

refined almost to the point of mannerism

—Winthrop Sargeant

b

often capitalized : an art style in late 16th century Europe characterized by spatial incongruity and excessive elongation of the human figures

2

: a characteristic and often unconscious mode or peculiarity of action, bearing, or treatment

The actor can mimic the President's mannerisms perfectly.

mannerist

ˈma-nə-rist 

noun or adjective

manneristic

ˌma-nə-ˈri-stik 

adjective

Synonyms

• trick
• trait
• characteristic
• habit
• quirk
• idiosyncrasy
• peculiarity
• eccentricity
• singularity

Choose the Right Synonym for mannerism

pose, air, airs, affectation, mannerism mean an adopted way of speaking or behaving.

pose implies an attitude deliberately assumed in order to impress others.

her shyness was just a pose

air may suggest natural acquirement through environment or way of life.

a traveler's sophisticated air

airs always implies artificiality and pretentiousness.

snobbish airs

affectation applies to a trick of speech or behavior that strikes the observer as insincere.

the posh accent is an affectation

mannerism applies to an acquired eccentricity that has become a habit.

gesturing with a cigarette was her most noticeable mannerism

Examples of mannerism in a Sentence

The actor can mimic the President's mannerisms perfectly.

quirky mannerisms such as toying with her hair and tapping her toes

Recent Examples on the Web

And some of Anna's mannerisms when trying to calm herself in stressful situations should be recognizable to many parent viewers. —Katie Grant, Parents, 7 Aug. 2025

Informed of the milestone, which ranked him No. 25 among all genres of live performers — just below Dua Lipa — Maniscalco responded with his usual offstage reserve, a 180-degree departure from the outsized physicality and mannerisms of his performances. —Frank Digiacomo, Billboard, 24 July 2025

Its humor is tasked with hitting targets that are constantly in motion, so the characters never fully materialize, preventing us from partaking in their inside jokes or even the humor of their mannerisms. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 26 June 2025

Disney Imagineers also studied muscle structure and nuances of speaking and gesturing, to mimic Walt Disney’s mannerisms and movements. —Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 17 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for mannerism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

Kids Definition

mannerism

noun

man·​ner·​ism ˈman-ə-ˌriz-əm 

: a characteristic and often unconscious way of acting

the mannerism of constantly adjusting her glasses

Medical Definition

mannerism

noun

man·​ner·​ism ˈman-ə-ˌriz-əm 

: a characteristic and often unconscious mode or peculiarity of action, bearing, or treatment

especially : any pointless and compulsive activity performed repeatedly