mannerly
Americanadjective
adverb
adjective
adverb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of mannerly
First recorded in 1325–75, mannerly is from the Middle English word manerly. See manner 1, -ly
Explanation
If you're mannerly, you're extremely well-behaved and polite. You might be so mannerly at your best friend's house that your parents wouldn't even recognize you! Mannerly is another way to say "well-mannered." If you're mannerly, your manners are impeccable — you follow all the appropriate rules of etiquette. While mannerly people keep their elbows off the table and their napkins in their laps, people who are not mannerly might talk loudly with their mouths full or eat off their neighbors' plates.
Vocabulary lists containing mannerly
The Winter's Tale
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Two Gentlemen of Verona
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Zahn introduced himself as lead guitarist Lenny, followed by Schaech chiming in as lead vocalist James Mannerly II. Then Embry waved and said only, “I’m the bass player!,” which garnered laughs.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2020
It has held the “Most Mannerly City in America,” designation for nearly two decades.
From New York Times • Apr. 18, 2014
“I’m Derek Holtzer. These other two are Bill Mannerly and Erik Ballard. Can we come in?”
From "The River" by Gary Paulsen
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Behind the counter are three Young Ladies, of distinctly engaging appearance, whom we will call Miss Goodchild, Miss Meekin, and Miss Mannerly, respectively.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 93. August 6, 1887. by Various
Tell Mannerly to bring me a large thick envelope which is on the table in my room.
From The Man by Stoker, Bram
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.