modus operandi

noun

mo·​dus ope·​ran·​di ˌmō-dəs-ˌä-pə-ˈran-dē 

-ˌdī

plural modi operandi ˈmō-ˌdē- 

ˈmō-ˌdī-

: a method of procedure

… the best approach … was to do things through quiet persuasion, which is his modus operandi.

—James Traub

especially : a distinct pattern or method of operation that indicates or suggests the work of a single criminal in more than one crime

… got her picture identified, discovered her modus operandi, and put a stakeout on her neighborhood.

—Time

Examples of modus operandi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That has always been his modus operandi. —Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025

Crazy weather, of course, is modus operandi at MWOBS, and over the years the forecasters at the top of the peak have published photos and accounts of truly bizarre phenomena. —Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 17 Nov. 2025

But terror is simply woven into Hemedti’s modus operandi. —Alex De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2025

In order to protect civilians, the Pentagon should develop AI tools that fit its modus operandi, which is different from how the civilian world operates, the deputy assistant secretary of Defense for cyber policy during the Biden administration told Politico. —Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for modus operandi

• bandy
• brandy
• candy
• dandy
• grandee
• randy
• shandy

Legal Definition

modus operandi

noun

mo·​dus ope·​ran·​di ˌmō-dəs-ˌä-pə-ˈran-dē, -ˌdī 

: a distinct pattern or method of operation especially that indicates or suggests the work of a single criminal in more than one crime

Etymology

New Latin, manner of operating