Definition of 'manner'

Word Frequency

manner

(mænəʳ )

Word forms: plural manners

1. singular noun

The manner in which you do something is the way that you do it.

She smiled again in a friendly manner.

I'm a professional and I have to conduct myself in a professional manner.

The manner in which young children are spoken to varies depending on who is present.

Synonyms: style, way, fashion, method More Synonyms of manner

2. singular noun [with supplement]

If something is done in the manner of something else, it is done in the style of that thing.

It's a satire somewhat in the manner of Dickens.

3. singular noun [usually poss NOUN]

Someone's manner is the way in which they behave and talk when they are with other people, for example whether they are polite, confident, or bad-tempered.

His manner was self-assured and brusque.

Her manner offstage, like her manner on, is somewhat surly.

Synonyms: behaviour, look, air, bearing More Synonyms of manner

-mannered combining form

Forrest was normally mild-mannered, affable, and untalkative.

The British are considered ill-mannered, badly dressed and unsophisticated.

4. plural noun

If someone has good manners, they are polite and observe social customs. If someone has bad manners, they are impolite and do not observe these customs.

He dressed well and had impeccable manners.

The manners of many doctors were appalling.

They taught him his manners.

5. See also bedside manner, table manners

See all manner of

See in a manner of speaking

See what manner of

More Synonyms of manner

Video: pronunciation of
manner

manner in British English

(ˈmænə )

noun

a way of doing or being

a person's bearing and behaviour

she had a cool manner

the style or customary way of doing or accomplishing something

sculpture in the Greek manner

type or kind

what manner of man is this?

mannered style, as in art; mannerism

6. See by all manner of means

7. See by no manner of means

8. See in a manner of speaking

9. See to the manner born

Word origin

C12: via Norman French from Old French maniere, from Vulgar Latin manuāria (unattested) a way of handling something, noun use of Latin manuārius belonging to the hand, from manus hand

Word Frequency

manner in American English

(ˈmænər )

noun

a way or method in which something is done or happens; mode or fashion of procedure

a way of acting; personal, esp. customary, behavior or bearing

a sarcastic manner

distinguished bearing or behavior

3. [pl.]

ways of social life; prevailing social conditions or customs

a comedy of manners

ways of social behavior; deportment, esp. with reference to polite conventions

good manners, bad manners

polite ways of social behavior; deportment conforming with polite conventions

a child who has no manners

characteristic style or method in art, music, literature, etc.

kind; sort

what manner of man is he?

b. [with pl. v.]

kinds; sorts

all manner of things

SIMILAR WORDS: ˈbearing

Idioms:

by all manner of means

by any manner of means

by no manner of means

in a manner of speaking

to the manner born

Word origin

ME manere < OFr maniere < VL *manaria < L manuarius, of the hand < manus, a hand: see manual

Examples of 'manner' in a sentence
manner

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

It does not win matches but shows impeccable manners.Where good manners are spontaneous and jolly;?It's just good behaviour and good manners.One: he or she had appalling table manners.THREE in four motorists are worried driverless cars will end good road manners, research shows.I think good manners are dwindling from road users generally: motorist, pedestrian and cyclist.How could one so pure have stooped from her decorous and noble manner of bearing!With style and impeccable manners he did all these things plus many more.What happened to our famed good manners and that precious sense of fair play?Not in that customary confrontational manner of his.

Quotations

Manners are love in a cool climateQuentin CrispManners From Heaven

Manners are the happy ways of doing things; each once a stroke of genius or of love, now repeated and hardened into usageRalph Waldo EmersonThe Conduct of Life

Fine manners need the support of fine manners in othersRalph Waldo EmersonThe Conduct of Life

Manners maketh man