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

• crotchet
• curiosity
• eccentricity
• erraticism
• idiosyncrasy
• individualism
• kink
• oddity
• peculiarity
• quiddity
• quip
• quirk
• singularity
• tic
• trick
• twist

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

Other actors picked up Brando’s mannerisms: the twitchy immediacy, the cavalier way with dialogue, an obeisance to the Method, disdain for the press. —Ty Burr, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024

Anyway, Chen’s getting a posthumous Medal of Valor, Mei’s getting into witness protection, the U.S. is getting an antidote to the bioweapon antidote, and McGee’s getting to know his new sister, who teaches yoga and has a lot of the family mannerisms. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2024

The lead actresses, among the most distinctive of their generation, are plugged into the film but given little but mannerisms to perform. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2024

To ensure such detail and context – across clothing, mannerisms, and language – Scorsese worked with a broad team of Osage cultural leads, including Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear. —Eda Yu, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Feb. 2024

Natalie had to study and copy a lot of your mannerisms. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 3 Dec. 2023

In a video posted on Robinson's TikTok, the 4-year-old starts talking and praying just like her own mother, copying several of her mannerisms. —Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 11 Jan. 2024

At first, the young penguin’s mannerisms may be an adjustment for the other birds, such as its tendency to make baby vocalizations that — in the wild — might make a penguin colony more vulnerable to predators, Strate said. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 2024

Researchers have also started to recognize the orcas for their mannerisms. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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