manner

¹ American  

[man-er] / ˈmæn ər /

noun

1. a way of doing, being done, or happening; mode of action, occurrence, etc..

   I don't like the manner in which he complained.

   Synonyms:

   method

2. manners,

   1. 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.

   2. 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.

   Synonyms:

   deportment, demeanor

4. characteristic or customary way of doing, making, saying, etc..

   houses built in the 19th-century manner.

   Synonyms:

   custom, habit, style, fashion, mode

5. air of distinction.

   That old gentleman had quite a manner.

6. (used with a singular or plural verb) 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. Obsolete.

   1. nature; character.

   2. guise; fashion.

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idioms

1. by all manner of means, by all means; certainly.

2. to the manner born,

   1. accustomed by birth to a high position.

      He was a gentleman to the manner born.

   2. used to a particular custom, activity, or role from birth.

3. by no manner of means, under no circumstances; by no means; certainly not.

   She was by no manner of means a frivolous person.

4. in a manner, so to speak; after a fashion; somewhat.

5. 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.

manner ² American  

[man-er] / ˈmæn ər /

noun

Old English Law.

1. mainour.

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manner British  

/ ˈmænə /

noun

1. a way of doing or being

2. a person's bearing and behaviour

   she had a cool manner

3. the style or customary way of doing or accomplishing something

   sculpture in the Greek manner

4. type or kind

   what manner of man is this?

5. mannered style, as in art; mannerism

6. certainly; of course

7. definitely not

   he was by no manner of means a cruel man

8. in a way; so to speak

9. naturally fitted to a specified role or activity

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manner More Idioms  

1. see all kinds (manner of); by all (manner of) means; company manners; in a manner of speaking; to the manner born.

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Usage

What’s the difference between manner and manor? The word manner means a way of doing something, as in Please exit the building in an orderly manner. The plural form manners refers to polite ways of behaving. A manor is a mansion or the main house of an estate. Both words are always used as nouns, and they are pronounced exactly the same. Manner has a few different meanings, but they mostly all relate to how things are done or how someone behaves. The word manor once commonly referred to an estate (the tract of land itself), but it eventually came to refer to the large house on the estate. Still, a house that you’d call a manor is usually a big mansion surrounded by a lot of land. For example, the mansion where Bruce Wayne lives is called Wayne Manor. A good way to remember the spelling is to ask the question: Who lives in Wayne Manor—is it Batman or Bruce Wayne?As for how to remember the spelling of manner, just remember that it would be not nice to spell it without two n’s (just downright impolite, really). Here’s an example of manor and manner used correctly in a sentence. Example: The grounds of the manor were decorated in a stately manner, with beautiful gardens and hedges. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between manner and manor.

Related Words

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 especially to carriage: a noble bearing.

Etymology

Origin of manner

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English manere, from Anglo-French; Old French maniere, from Vulgar Latin manuāria, noun use of feminine of manuārius “handy, convenient” ( Latin: “pertaining to the hand”), from Latin manu(s) manus + -ārius -ary

Explanation

Your way of behaving or acting is your manner. Your parents might be fooled by your best friend's quiet, polite manner, but you know that she's capable of being incredibly rude — and hysterically funny. A manner is also a style of doing something. You may not like the manner in which your boss at the coffee shop does things, but you have to admit she makes a perfect latte. Manner also means the kind or sort. If you find yourself working with people who enjoy stabbing each other in the back, you may wonder what manner of people you are working with.

Example Sentences

But Ms. Fridland cautions against assuming that we are destined to coalesce around a common manner of speech.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

This makes Lego a kitschy means of egalitarian expression, effective for conveying all manner of messaging and symbolism.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

We fired that hospice agency and hired another, which immediately sent a nurse who had the perfect blend of medical expertise and compassionate bedside manner.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026

The manner of the goals we conceded, the amount of duels that we lost, the lack of intensity in the team.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

“Well,” said he, in a deliberating manner, “for five minutes, perhaps.”

From "Emma" by Jane Austen

Related Words

• fashion
• form
• habit
• line
• mode
• practice
• procedure
• process
• style
• system
• technique
• tone
• way