DictionaryAI

manner

MAN-ur/ˈmænɚ/UKMAN-uh/ˈmænə/

Pluralmanners

7 meanings of manner

Practice

  1. 1
    waynouncountable
    The way in which something is done or performed.

    The witness described the events in a precise, orderly manner.

    Each chef prepares the dish in their own manner.

    UsageUsually in a + adjective + manner: in a calm manner, in a strange manner. It is more formal than way.

    Similarway, fashion, method, mode

  2. 2
    etiquettenoun
    Polite and refined ways of behaving toward other people that follow accepted social customs; usually used in the plural, manners.

    Her manners impressed everyone at the formal reception.

    Parents often work hard to teach their children good manners.

    UsageUsually plural: good manners, table manners, have no manners. Also it is good manners to say thank you.

    Note

    The everyday form is plural, as in good manners or a child taught manners, yet the singular once did the same work. Jane Austen's Emma (1815) calls Harriet "not insensible of manner" and says Mr. Martin "did not know what manner was." Read that bare singular as polish and refinement of address, not as a person's bearing.

    Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 4 facts

    • Jane Austen wrote Emma, which first appeared in 1815. janeaustens.house
    • Emma's narration describes Harriet with the exact quoted words. gutenberg.org
    • The quoted words concerning Mr. Martin occur in Emma's narration, within the qualification looked as if. gutenberg.org
    • The historical singular manner could denote polite behaviour, supporting the interpretation of these examples as social refinement. en.wiktionary.org
  3. 3
    nouncountable
    A person's typical way of behaving toward others or of going about things; their bearing or habit.

    The doctor's reassuring manner calmed the anxious patient.

    There was something cold in his manner that evening.

  4. 4
    kindnoun
    A kind, sort, or type.

    The market sold all manner of spices and herbs.

    They faced every manner of difficulty on the journey.

    UsageMostly in all manner of + a plural noun: all manner of spices (not incorrect: all manners of).

    Similarkind, sort, type, variety

  5. 5
    nouncountable
    The characteristic style of an author's writing or thought, or an artist's distinctive style.

    Critics praised the bold manner of the young painter.

    His later novels adopt a leaner, more austere manner.

    UsageOften in the manner of an artist or writer: painted in the manner of the old masters.

    Similarstyle, idiom

Less common meanings

  1. 6
    degreenoun
    A certain degree or measure of something.

    The plan succeeded, in a manner, though not as intended.

    They were, in a manner, partners in the whole venture.

    UsageMostly in in a manner, usually set off by commas and used much like in a way. In no manner means not at all.

    Similarsense

  2. 7
    make politeverbraretransitive
    To train someone in polite behavior; to instill good manners in a person.

    Similarcivilize, school, train

Practice

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Origin

Latin manus ("hand") gave manuarius ("belonging to the hand"), and from that came Vulgar Latin *manāria, which became Old French maniere. English got it through Anglo-Norman manere and Middle English maner.