mannerism

[ man-uh-riz-uhm ]

noun

1. a habitual or characteristic manner, mode, or way of doing something; distinctive quality or style, as in behavior or speech:

   He has an annoying mannerism of tapping his fingers while he talks. They copied his literary mannerisms but always lacked his ebullience.

2. marked or excessive adherence to an unusual or a particular manner, especially if affected:

   Natural courtesy is a world apart from snobbish mannerism.

3. (usually initial capital letter) a style in the fine arts developed principally in Europe during the 16th century, chiefly characterized by a complex perspectival system, elongation of forms, strained gestures or poses of figures, and intense, often strident color.

mannerism

/ ˈmænəˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. a distinctive and individual gesture or trait; idiosyncrasy
2. often capital a principally Italian movement in art and architecture between the High Renaissance and Baroque periods (1520–1600) that sought to represent an ideal of beauty rather than natural images of it, using characteristic distortion and exaggeration of human proportions, perspective, etc
3. adherence to a distinctive or affected manner, esp in art or literature

Derived Forms

• ˌmannerˈistic, adjective
• ˌmannerˈistically, adverb
• ˈmannerist, noun

Other Words From

• manner·ist noun
• manner·istic adjective
• manner·isti·cal·ly adverb
• nonman·ner·istic adjective
• semi·manner·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mannerism¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; manner ¹ + -ism

Example Sentences

Cahoon’s approach to the role is so full of zany affectations and mannerisms that it’s hard to feel on intimate terms with Albin.

From Los Angeles Times

And Jeremy Strong is fantastic as Cohn, also getting his character’s mannerisms down perfectly.

From Salon

Scanning the players across the line of scrimmage, he examines body positioning and mannerisms that can provide a tipoff.

From Los Angeles Times

Fans widely lauded Garr’s guest appearances, with some calling her “perfectly cast” given her striking resemblance to Kudrow both in appearance and mannerisms — the latter of which is played up on “Friends.”

From Los Angeles Times

I would see how my character would act, behave, my mannerisms and physicality.

From Salon

Related Words

• eccentricity
• idiosyncrasy
• quirk
• trait