manner

noun

man·ner ˈma-nər

Synonyms of manner next

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 sense 1) or mode of presentation : style

offers plenty of room for many jazz manners Wilder Hobson

manners plural : social conduct or rules of conduct as shown in the prevalent customs

Victorian manners

: characteristic or distinctive bearing (see bearing sense 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.

: a distinguished or stylish air

taught to acquire a manner suitable to her station

: kind, sort

what manner of man is he

: kinds, sorts

all manner of problems

mannerless

ˈma-nər-ləs

adjective

Phrases

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

Choose the Right Synonym for 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.

effective teaching methods

mode implies an order or course followed by custom, tradition, or personal preference.

the preferred mode of transportation

manner is close to mode but may imply a procedure or method that is individual or distinctive.

an odd manner of conducting

way is very general and may be used for any of the preceding words.

has her own way of doing things

fashion may suggest a peculiar or characteristic way of doing something.

rushing about in his typical fashion

system suggests a fully developed or carefully formulated method often emphasizing rational orderliness.

a filing system

Example Sentences

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web The toddler died of acute fentanyl toxicity and the manner was ruled as accidental by the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office. —

Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2023 This is Rock’s sixth special, and that the previous five were produced in the usual manner has proved no impediment to his career. —

Robert Lloydtelevision Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2023 Even its back-road manner is fair, with decent grip and good maneuverability. —

Kevin Smith, Car and Driver, 4 Mar. 2023 Simone is excited to greet him, even though the man’s terse manner and Forrest-Gumpian naivety don’t line up with her expectations. —

Rene Rodriguez, Variety, 2 Mar. 2023 Officials can set time limits Under Arizona law, officials can set reasonable time, place and manner restrictions on speakers. —

Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2023 Yet, asked to make an album cover in Magritte’s manner, DALL-E 2 responds in ways that are often arresting, even witty. —

Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2023 The big thing is, two manifolds are intertwined in some very complex manner. —

Rachel Crowell, Quanta Magazine, 1 Mar. 2023 If the town is happy to enshrine Nolan Ryan in every manner possible, Eovaldi may be worth a plaque someday. —

Dallas News, 26 Feb. 2023 See More

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.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler

The first known use of manner was in the 12th century

See more words from the same century