manner

¹

[ man-er ]

noun

1. a way of doing, being done, or happening; mode of action, occurrence, etc.:

   I don't like the manner in which he complained.

   Synonyms: method

2. manners,
   1. the prevailing customs, ways of living, and habits of a people, class, period, etc.; mores:

      The novels of Jane Austen are concerned with the manners of her time.

   2. ways of behaving with reference to polite standards; social comportment:

      That child has good manners.

3. a person's outward bearing; way of speaking to and treating others:

   She has a charming manner.

   Synonyms: deportment, demeanor

4. characteristic or customary way of doing, making, saying, etc.:

   houses built in the 19th-century manner.

   Synonyms: custom, habit, style, fashion, mode

5. air of distinction:

   That old gentleman had quite a manner.

6. (used with a singular or plural verb) kind; sort:

   What manner of man is he? All manner of things were happening.

7. characteristic style in art, literature, or the like:

   verses in the manner of Spenser.

8. Obsolete.
   1. nature; character.
   2. guise; fashion.

manner

²

[ man-er ]

noun

, Old English Law.

1. mainour.

manner

/ ˈmænə /

noun

1. a way of doing or being
2. a person's bearing and behaviour

   she had a cool manner

3. the style or customary way of doing or accomplishing something

   sculpture in the Greek manner

4. type or kind

   what manner of man is this?

5. mannered style, as in art; mannerism
6. by all manner of means
   certainly; of course
7. by no manner of means
   definitely not

   he was by no manner of means a cruel man

8. in a manner of speaking
   in a way; so to speak
9. to the manner born
   naturally fitted to a specified role or activity

Word History and Origins

Origin of manner¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English manere, from Anglo-French; Old French maniere, from Vulgar Latin manuāria, noun use of feminine of manuārius “handy, convenient” ( Latin: “pertaining to the hand”), from Latin manu(s) manus + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of manner¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. by all manner of means, by all means; certainly.
2. by no manner of means, under no circumstances; by no means; certainly not:

   She was by no manner of means a frivolous person.

3. in a manner of speaking, in a way; as it were; so to speak:

   We were, in a manner of speaking, babes in the woods.

4. in a manner, so to speak; after a fashion; somewhat.
5. to the manner born,
   1. accustomed by birth to a high position:

      He was a gentleman to the manner born.

   2. used to a particular custom, activity, or role from birth.

More idioms and phrases containing manner

see all kinds (manner of) ; by all (manner of) means ; company manners ; in a manner of speaking ; to the manner born .

Synonym Study

Manner, air, bearing all refer to one's outward aspect or behavior. Manner applies to a distinctive mode of behavior, or social attitude toward others, etc.: a gracious manner. Air applies to outward appearance insofar as this is distinctive or indicative: an air of martyrdom. Airs imply affectation: to put on airs. Bearing applies especially to carriage: a noble bearing.

Example Sentences

Peake’s staid and knowing portrayal stands in contrast and complement to that of Petticrew, whose resolute manner vacillates between a flinty swagger and true anguish.

From Salon

Given her history of physical issues, and the defiant manner in which she makes her own decisions even if they are viewed unfavourably from the outside, you would not have predicted with complete certainty she would be alongside her Great Britain team-mates.

From BBC

But his jocular manner put many of them at ease, he said.

From BBC

It was the manner in which we did it.

From BBC

He argued that otherwise "we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner."

From BBC

Related Words

• fashion
• form
• habit
• line
• mode
• practice
• procedure
• process
• style
• system
• technique
• tone
• way