manner

noun man·ner \ ˈma-nər \

|Updated on: 14 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: manner in a Sentence

Definition of manner

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 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 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

play \ˈma-nər-ləs\ adjective

— 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

See manner defined for English-language learners

See manner defined for kids

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 of manner from the Web

In one outstanding portion, Coco jumps on Puro, her meowing tiger pet, and runs across China's Great Wall to avoid all manner of enemies, including beautiful but mischievous dragon kites.

— harold goldberg, chicagotribune.com, "Classic games, lovingly reimagined in 'Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'," 13 July 2018
In one, an enlarged Hello Kitty Pez dispenser is turned into a weapon, hurled at a baddie in the manner of an old-fashioned Scottish caber toss.

— stephanie zacharek, Time, "Review: Ant-Man and the Wasp Has Stakes as Small as Its Superheroes But It’s Hard to Dislike," 3 July 2018
Enter the all mighty concealer: a powerful tool that can erase even the darkest of dark circles and hide unwanted sun spots in a manner of seconds.

— jenna rennert, Vogue, "The Best Concealers of All Time, According to the Pros," 30 June 2018
Strengths • Plays above the rim in an impressively natural manner.

— will mccollister, SI.com, "Celtics Select Robert Williams with No. 27 Pick in 2018 NBA Draft," 21 June 2018
The enclosures cover acres, allowing each animal to play and move about in a natural manner.

— lori fulk / indystar, Indianapolis Star, "Indiana for shy kids: 10 quiet hangouts your kid will love," 19 June 2018
On June 20, Shepherd said the rapid manner in which the legislation was unveiled and zipped through the legislative process in less than a day violated the state constitution's requirement.

— louisville courier journal, The Courier-Journal, "Papa John is out and ex-Cards are after the NCAA: What to know Thursday," 12 July 2018
The manner with which the Air Force is conducting the flyoff will no doubt taint the argument about which aircraft is better suited for the CAS mission.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The Long Awaited A-10 vs.-F-35 Flyoff Is Off to a Sketchy Start," 11 July 2018
What was more appalling than the majority’s weak and unsupported decision, though, was the manner in which this curious threesome conducted the public hearing.

— jeffrey harlan, latimes.com, "Costa Mesa City Council majority got it wrong by denying Plant project," 10 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'manner.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of manner

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2a

See Words from the same year

manner Synonyms

Synonyms

approach, fashion, form, how, method, methodology, recipe, strategy, style, system, tack, tactics, technique, way;

Related Words

mode, modus operandi;

blueprint, design, game, game plan, ground plan, intrigue, layout, line, model, plan, plot, program, route, scheme;

expedient, move, shift, step;

practice (also practise), process, routine;

policy;

Synonym Discussion of 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.