manner

UK: /ˈmænə^r/ US: /ˈmænɚ/ ,(man′ər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

man•ner¹ /ˈmænɚ/   n. [countable]

1. a way of doing, being done, or happening:
   In what manner were you notified?
2. manners, [plural]
   • the ways of living of a people, class, or period:
     Victorian manners.
   • ways of behaving with reference to polite standards:
     She has such good manners.
3. a person's outward appearance when doing or behaving:
   a charming manner.
4. a characteristic or customary style;
   fashion:
   built in the 19th-century manner.
5. kind;
   sort:
   [singular* but used with a singular or plural verb] What manner of man is he? All manner of things were happening.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

man•ner¹  (man′ər), n. 

1. a way of doing, being done, or happening;
   mode of action, occurrence, etc.:
   I don't like the manner in which he complained.
2. manners:
   • 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.
   • 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.
4. characteristic or customary way of doing, making, saying, etc.:
   houses built in the 19th-century manner.
5. air of distinction:
   That old gentleman had quite a manner.
6. (used with a sing. or pl. v.) 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. [Obs.]
   • nature;
     character.
   • guise;
     fashion.
9. Idioms by all manner of means, by all means;
   certainly.
10. Idioms by no manner of means, under no circumstances;
    by no means;
    certainly not:
    She was by no manner of means a frivolous person.
11. Idioms in a manner, so to speak;
    after a fashion;
    somewhat.
12. Idioms 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.
13. to the manner born:
    • accustomed by birth to a high position:
      He was a gentleman to the manner born.
    • Idioms used to a particular custom, activity, or role from birth.

• Anglo-French; Old French maniere Vulgar Latin *manuāria, noun, nominal use of feminine of manuārius handy, convenient (Latin: of, pertaining to the hand). See manus, -er²
• Middle English manere 1125–75

Synonyms

• 1. method.
• 3. demeanor, deportment.
  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 esp. to carriage:
  a noble bearing.
• 4. mode, fashion, style; habit, custom.

man•ner²  (man′ər), n. [Old Eng. Law.]

1. Law mainour.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

manner / ˈmænə/ noun

1. a way of doing or being
2. a person's bearing and behaviour
3. the style or customary way of doing or accomplishing something
4. type or kind
5. mannered style, as in art; mannerism
6. in a manner of speaking ⇒ in a way; so to speak
7. to the manner born ⇒ naturally fitted to a specified role or activity

Etymology: 12th Century: 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