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

ICE has said that Ibarra was arrested in New York City in September 2023 and was charged with "acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 and a motor vehicle license violation".

From BBC

Coroner Crispin Oliver concluded it was "highly likely" Mr Morris, who suffered a cardiac arrest, would have survived had available specialist medical treatment been applied in a "timely manner".

From BBC

"I'm under the impression that anything can be a song, if you approach it in the right manner," Ogden reasons.

From BBC

"That was the last time I saw you. I hope I have more grace and understanding when and if any of my own four children at such a vulnerable age behave in the same manner."

From BBC

“I would like to openly apologize to this entire community for failing you in this manner.”

From Salon

Related Words

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

Manner Vs. Manor

What’s the difference between manner and manor?

The word manner means a way of doing something, as in Please exit the building in an orderly manner. The plural form manners refers to polite ways of behaving. A manor is a mansion or the main house of an estate.

Both words are always used as nouns, and they are pronounced exactly the same.

Manner has a few different meanings, but they mostly all relate to how things are done or how someone behaves.

The word manor once commonly referred to an estate (the tract of land itself), but it eventually came to refer to the large house on the estate. Still, a house that you’d call a manor is usually a big mansion surrounded by a lot of land.

For example, the mansion where Bruce Wayne lives is called Wayne Manor. A good way to remember the spelling is to ask the question: Who lives in Wayne Manor—is it Batman or Bruce Wayne?

As for how to remember the spelling of manner, just remember that it would be not nice to spell it without two n’s (just downright impolite, really).

Here’s an example of manor and manner used correctly in a sentence.

Example: The grounds of the manor were decorated in a stately manner, with beautiful gardens and hedges.

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between manner and manor.

Quiz yourself on manner vs. manor!

Should manner or manor be used in the following sentence?

Actors often develop a unique _____ of speaking for the character they are playing.