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 was 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

In nearly every single alleged heist, the modus operandi was the same, with the thieves scouting locations in advance, renting Airbnbs and vehicles, then putting their plan into action. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025

Transparency became Domino’s modus operandi. —Alex Mayyasi, HubSpot, 22 Aug. 2025

The other strategy is to use the perennial weed’s modus operandi against it. —Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 15 Aug. 2025

Hand-picking, which was the modus operandi in Indiana until the 1980s and still is in parts of Florida and California, is extremely hard work. —Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 26 July 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