mannered
Americanadjective
-
having manners as specified (usually used in combination).
ill-mannered people.
-
having distinctive mannerisms; affected.
a mannered walk.
adjective
-
having idiosyncrasies or mannerisms; affected
mannered gestures
-
of or having mannerisms of style, as in art or literature
-
(in combination) having manners as specified
ill-mannered
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of mannered
First recorded in 1350–1400, mannered is from the Middle English word manered. See manner 1, -ed 3
Explanation
If someone calls you mannered, it's really not a compliment. It means that the way you act seems artificial or exaggerated. Chill out. Manners are the way we behave in society, how we speak and act with other people. Use mannered to say that someone has exaggerated or unnatural manners. In combination with other words — as in well-mannered or mild-mannered — mannered can take a positive meaning, but when it's used by itself, it's a criticism. Your pretentious classmate is mannered, and an actor's stilted, phony performance is also mannered.
Vocabulary lists containing mannered
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
A Farewell To Arms
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Americanah
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
All this she expresses in deceptively simple, occasionally mannered prose that draws readers in and immerses them in her fictional worlds.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 5, 2026
Our hometown—long known as ugly, backward, corrupt, dangerous, ill- mannered, poorly maintained and shoddily dressed—had lured into our yard a world-famous brand.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 28, 2025
The club further described Kian as "the most genuine, well mannered and unassuming young lad", adding he was a credit to both the club and his parents.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2024
But Ostermeier appeared to have so much control over the material, with such a by-the-book treatment of the text, that it came off as mannered.
From New York Times ● Jul. 11, 2023
“Don’t want to scare them away, now, do you? You must keep it pulled back. If you’re neat and well mannered, they might not be so quick to jump to conclusions.”
From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline
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.
