manners

British  

/ ˈmænəz /

plural noun

1. social conduct

   he has the manners of a pig

2. a socially acceptable way of behaving

---

Explanation

Manners are the proper or polite way to behave in public. If you take the chewing gum out of your mouth and stick it behind your ear before a meal, you need to work on your manners. You can also call manners "etiquette." It shows good manners when you hold doors open for other people, say "please" and "thank you," and refrain from burping in public. Manners vary between different cultures: you're displaying good manners if you slurp your noodles in Japan, though it's bad manners in the U.S. And in some Middle Eastern countries, burping after a meal is actually a sign of excellent manners.

Example Sentences

When it comes to manners, Debrett's - a leading UK authority on etiquette - lists polite behaviours for the cinema, including to:

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

The Times followed up with a report on Hovater’s fondness for “Seinfeld,” his wedding registry at Target, four cats and Midwestern manners that would, as reporter Richard Fausset wrote, “please anyone’s mother.”

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

The Constitution leaves it to states to decide the “times, places and manners for holding elections.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

If parents only left money to well-behaved adult children with a pristine record of good manners and fiscal responsibility, most pet shelters would probably never have to raise funds again.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 18, 2026

There could be no conversation in the noise of Mrs. Phillips’s supper party, but his manners recommended him to everybody.

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen