manner
noun
man·ner ˈma-nər 
1
a(1)
: a characteristic or customary mode of acting : custom
stopped to speak, after the manner of the country
Ellen Glasgow
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
b
manners plural : social conduct or rules of conduct as shown in the prevalent customs
Victorian manners
c
: 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.
e
: a distinguished or stylish air
taught to acquire a manner suitable to her station
2
a
: kind, sort
what manner of man is he
b
: 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
Peter Tryell
Synonyms
- etiquette
- form
- mores
- proprieties
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
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 Nasdaq Clearing spokesman David Augustsson said the measures would help the power market act in an orderly manner Monday. Joe Wallace, WSJ, 4 Sep. 2022 Some, like the Javelin anti-tank missile, have been relatively easy to deploy in an effective manner and have made a major difference on the battlefield. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 1 Sep. 2022 With a wry sense of humor, a beautiful smile and an approachable manner, Msgr. Cassidy Jensen, Baltimore Sun, 27 Aug. 2022 The Bucs scored on their next possession -- albeit in an unorthodox manner -- as Jeremy Cook recovered a fumble in the end zone after Kamal Amerson fumbled at the 1-yard line. Evan Dudley, al, 26 Aug. 2022 As in some of Resnais’s best films, Van Peebles—working in an altogether more populist and bustling manner—dramatizes memory as action, as a form of activism. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2022 Tap into a lemon's natural bleaching, degreasing, antibacterial, and fresh-scent properties to successfully tackle all sorts of household jobs in an earth-friendly manner. Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2022 The consumer expectation is that a company will use AI in an ethical and unbiased manner. Erin Hutchinson, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 Alaska can and must develop its vast resources in an environmentally feasible manner. Anchorage Daily News, 7 Aug. 2022 See More
Joe Wallace, WSJ, 4 Sep. 2022 Some, like the Javelin anti-tank missile, have been relatively easy to deploy in an effective manner and have made a major difference on the battlefield. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 1 Sep. 2022 With a wry sense of humor, a beautiful smile and an approachable manner, Msgr. Cassidy Jensen, Baltimore Sun, 27 Aug. 2022 The Bucs scored on their next possession -- albeit in an unorthodox manner -- as Jeremy Cook recovered a fumble in the end zone after Kamal Amerson fumbled at the 1-yard line. Evan Dudley, al, 26 Aug. 2022 As in some of Resnais’s best films, Van Peebles—working in an altogether more populist and bustling manner—dramatizes memory as action, as a form of activism. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2022 Tap into a lemon's natural bleaching, degreasing, antibacterial, and fresh-scent properties to successfully tackle all sorts of household jobs in an earth-friendly manner. Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2022 The consumer expectation is that a company will use AI in an ethical and unbiased manner. Erin Hutchinson, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 Alaska can and must develop its vast resources in an environmentally feasible manner. Anchorage Daily News, 7 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Phrases Containing manner
Kids Definition
manner
noun
man·ner ˈma-nər
1
: the way something is done or happens
She worked in a quick manner.
2
: a way of acting
He has a gentle manner.
3
manners plural : behavior toward or in the presence of other people
They have good manners in a restaurant.
4
: sort entry 1 sense 1
… all manner of stories were told about it … C. S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
C. S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobemanner
noun
1
as in etiquette
manners plural personal conduct or behavior as evaluated by an accepted standard of appropriateness for a social or professional setting the young man's impeccable manners are an unmistakable sign of a good upbringing Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- etiquette
- demeanor
- attitude
- form
- posture
- proprieties
- mode
- practice
- politeness
- habit
- mores
- rules
- style
- deportment
- protocol
- convention
- civilities
- presence
- mien
- decorum
- way
- bearing
- custom
- mannerliness
- pleasantries
- courtesy
- amenities
- fashion
- formalities
- pattern
- carriage
- air
- pose
- trick
- poise
- polish
- practise
- wont
2
as in mode
a distinctive way of putting ideas into words the former doctor writes his novels very much in the manner of someone who is used to observing the smallest details Synonyms & Similar Words
- mode
- style
- tone
- vein
- fashion
- phraseology
- locution
- idiom
- delivery
- expression
- address
- elocution
- connotation
- regionalism
- archaism
- colloquialism
- acceptation
- denotation
3
as in kind
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common fish and all manner of sea life on view at the aquarium Synonyms & Similar Words
- kind
- type
- sort
- genre
- variety
- nature
- stripe
- breed
- description
- like
- order
- species
- persuasion
- class
- kidney
- ilk
- strain
- model
- feather
- category
- specimen
- grouping
- sample
- group
- family
- suite
- bunch
- set
- division
- bracket
- grade
- lot
- rank(s)
4
as in approach
the means or procedure for doing something you happened to reach the correct answer, but the manner by which you solved the problem was all wrong Synonyms & Similar Words
- approach
- method
- way
- how
- methodology
- strategy
- technique
- style
- system
- tactics
- fashion
- recipe
- form
- process
- tack
- plan
- mode
- route
- expedient
- scheme
- program
- model
- policy
- design
- practice
- layout
- blueprint
- routine
- move
- modus operandi
- game
- plot
- ground plan
- step
- shift
- game plan
- intrigue
- line
- practise
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of manner are bearing, carriage, demeanor, deportment, and mien. While all these words mean "the outward manifestation of personality or attitude," manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others.
the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders
The meanings of bearing and manner largely overlap; however, bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.
a woman of regal bearing
The words carriage and manner are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking.
the kind of carriage learned at boarding school
The synonyms demeanor and manner are sometimes interchangeable, but demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.
the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter
The words deportment and manner can be used in similar contexts, but deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.
your deportment was atrocious
In some situations, the words mien and manner are roughly equivalent. However, mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor.
a mien of supreme self-satisfaction