modus operandi

noun

mo·​dus ope·​ran·​di ˌmō-dəs-ˌä-pə-ˈran-dē How to pronounce modus operandi (audio)
-ˌdī
plural modi operandi ˈmō-ˌdē- How to pronounce modus operandi (audio)
ˈmō-ˌdī-
: a method of procedure
the best approach … was to do things through quiet persuasion, which was his modus operandiJames 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 After all, their modus operandi is to make everyone else feel inferior, often with the more aggressive stance of making everyone else feel compelled to cede every point to the smartest person. Matt Butcher, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024 Implementing the idea means putting technology in place to calculate their new values, and the thinking behind the fresh modus operandi is obvious: Valencia, owned by billionaire Peter Lim, can make more money. Henry Flynn, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024 One of the more unconventional aspects of the artistic directors’ modus operandi is their rejection of discrete product collections tightly defined by specific materials or motifs. Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2024 That resulted in a strict three-color modus operandi for the show’s first two seasons. Fawnia Soo Hoo, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for modus operandi 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'modus operandi.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of modus operandi was in 1654

Dictionary Entries Near modus operandi

Cite this Entry

“Modus operandi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modus%20operandi. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.

Legal Definition

modus operandi

noun
mo·​dus ope·​ran·​di ˌmō-dəs-ˌä-pə-ˈran-dē, -ˌdī How to pronounce modus operandi (audio)
: 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

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