demeanor

especially British, de·mean·our

[dih-mee-ner]

noun

1. conduct; behavior; deportment.

2. facial appearance; mien.

Word History and Origins

Origin of demeanor¹

First recorded in 1425–75, demeanor is from the late Middle English word demenure. See demean ², -or ¹

Example Sentences

Asked if anything seemed unusual with his demeanor that morning, she said: "Nothing at all".

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Thinking about his father, Brooks pauses and his buoyant demeanor dims as he puts a finger to his eye as if it might begin to well up.

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Smith agreed that King was the less reliable narrator, writing that “Kincaid’s remarkably lucid, rapid-fire, and forthright demeanor on the stand — compared to King’s calculated demeanor” made it “obvious” that Kincaid was telling the truth.

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A bright, well-educated woman with a polite demeanor, she looks like a future teacher of the year more than a radical organizer.

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Lincoln Riley said he sensed a shift in his team’s demeanor at halftime, just as the team’s Playoff hopes were hanging by a thread.

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Related Words

• attitude 
• disposition 
• mien 
• poise 
• presence