manifest

[ man-uh-fest ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make clear or evident; show plainly:

   He manifested his approval with a hearty laugh.

   Synonyms: express, declare, demonstrate, evidence, evince, disclose, reveal

   Antonyms: conceal

2. to prove; put beyond doubt or question:

   The evidence manifests the guilt of the defendant.

3. to attempt to attain (something desired) by thinking or focusing intensely on it, especially as a spiritual or self-help practice: law of attraction ( def ).

   I'm manifesting a new job this year.

   We cut out toxic people and manifested new friends more on our wavelength.

4. to record in the manifest of a ship, airplane, train, etc.

verb (used without object)

1. to appear or become apparent:

   The change we've been agitating for is finally manifesting in public policy.

   Damage to the house's foundation can manifest slowly over time.

2. to be created; take form:

   The course allows designers to visualize how their designs could manifest.

   His book claims we are beings of light that have manifested in physical bodies.

3. Medicine/Medical.
   1. (of a disease or injury) to become evident through the appearance of particular symptoms:

      This type of infection typically manifests with rashes, swelling, and pain.

   2. (of a patient) to have a certain symptom or medical condition:

      People who experience work-related stress often manifest with chronic digestive disorders.

4. to attempt to attain something desired by thinking about or focusing intensely on it, especially as a spiritual or self-help practice:

   The guru was trying to teach us how to manifest by using meditation and deep concentration.

adjective

1. readily perceived; evident; obvious; apparent; plain:

   The data you've shown us contains a manifest error.

   Synonyms: conspicuous, visible, palpable, open, patent, unmistakable, distinct, clear

   Antonyms: obscure

2. Psychoanalysis. of or relating to conscious feelings, ideas, and impulses that contain repressed psychic material:

   the manifest content of a dream as opposed to the latent content that it conceals.

noun

1. a list of the cargo or goods carried by a ship, airplane, train, etc., made for the use of various agents and officials at the points of destination.
2. a list of the passengers carried on a ship, airplane, train, etc.

manifest

/ ˈmænɪˌfɛst /

adjective

1. easily noticed or perceived; obvious; plain
2. psychoanal of or relating to the ostensible elements of a dream Compare latent

   manifest content

verb

1. tr to show plainly; reveal or display

   to manifest great emotion

2. tr to prove beyond doubt
3. intr (of a disembodied spirit) to appear in visible form
4. tr to list in a ship's manifest

noun

1. a customs document containing particulars of a ship, its cargo, and its destination
2. 1. a list of cargo, passengers, etc, on an aeroplane
   2. a list of railway trucks or their cargo
   3. a fast freight train carrying perishables

Derived Forms

• ˈmaniˌfestness, noun
• ˈmaniˌfestly, adverb
• ˈmaniˌfestable, adjective

Other Words From

• man·i·fest·a·ble adjective
• man·i·fest·er noun
• man·i·fest·ly adverb
• man·i·fest·ness noun
• non·man·i·fest adjective
• non·man·i·fest·ness noun
• pre·man·i·fest verb
• re·man·i·fest verb (used with object)
• self-man·i·fest adjective
• su·per·man·i·fest verb (used with object)
• un·man·i·fest adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of manifest¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; (adjective) Middle English manifest(e), from Latin manifestus, manufestus “detected in the act, evident, visible”; (verb) Middle English manifesten, from Middle French manifester, from Latin manifestāre, derivative of manifestus. See manus

Word History and Origins

Origin of manifest¹

C14: from Latin manifestus plain, literally: struck with the hand, from manū with the hand + -festus struck

Synonym Study

See display.

Example Sentences

We can see how this is already manifesting in the attacks on McBride.

From Salon

At the time, the story manifested itself in a “very simple hand-drawn” short film about a cat and its fear of water — a universal narrative that allowed the story to proceed without a traditional antagonist.

From Los Angeles Times

The thru line between Cohn's nefarious career and Trump's own ruthlessness is set to manifest in this second term.

From Salon

Tay-Sachs disease, the more common of the two disorders, typically manifests within the first year of life, progressing quickly and often proving fatal within a few years.

From Science Daily

Trump's contempt for congressional Republicans was already manifesting in his vampiric posture towards their slim majority.

From Salon

Related Words

• demonstrate
• embody
• illustrate
• prove
• reveal
• signify

More About Manifest

What does manifest mean?

Manifest describes something that is readily understood, obvious, or apparent upon viewing, as in Saying the sky is full of flying pigs is manifest nonsense.

To manifest something is to prove beyond all doubt, as in Climate change is manifesting itself through the increase of superstorms.

To manifest also means to display or show plainly, as in Clara’s embarrassment manifested itself on her face as a blush.

A manifest is a list of cargo carried by a plane, ship, truck, or train. To manifest the cargo is to list it on a manifest.

Example: He managed to manifest a smile despite being so uncomfortable.

Where does manifest come from?

The first records of the term manifest come from the mid-1300s. It ultimately comes from the Latin manifestus, meaning “detected in the act, evident, or visible.”

All uses of manifest, despite their context, relate to making something known or seen. In psychoanalysis, manifest means relating to the feelings and emotions that people hold subconsciously. Feelings that you aren’t consciously aware of might become manifest content in your dreams.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to manifest?

• manifestable (adjective)
• manifester (noun)
• manifestly (adverb)
• self-manifest (adjective)

What are some synonyms for manifest?

• demonstrate
• embody
• glaring
• illustrate
• unambiguous

What are some words that share a root or word element with manifest? 

• manifesto
• manus
• manifestant
• manifestation

What are some words that often get used in discussing manifest?

• airplane
• cargo
• clear
• obvious
• visible

How is manifest used in real life?

Manifest is a common word with several senses related to visibility and obviousness.

anyway: I tweeted joking I got hacked cause of my tweet about Harry and then someone actually hacked me so be careful what you manifest folks

— h (@halsey) October 10, 2019

Pointlessly geeky fact: 33 is the number of Pi digits required to manifest all ten numerals at least once:

3.14159265358979323846264338327950

— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) March 14, 2018

 

Try using manifest!

Is manifest used correctly in the following sentence?

I manifested my feelings by not showing any feelings on my face.