mien

American  

[meen] / min /

noun

1. air, bearing, or demeanor, as showing character, feeling, etc..

   a man of noble mien.

   Synonyms:

   carriage, look, appearance

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mien British  

/ miːn /

noun

1. literary a person's manner, bearing, or appearance, expressing personality or mood

   a noble mien

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Etymology

Origin of mien

1505–15; probably aphetic variant of obsolete demean bearing, demean ²; spelled with -ie- to distinguish it from mean ²

Example Sentences

In his cratered and ravaged mien we see the impress of time, yet also dignity and fortitude.

From The Wall Street Journal

Horvath’s Midwestern mien, unflagging politeness and warm smile belie her fierce ambition.

From Los Angeles Times

Schaeffer, who has the mien of Marine drill instructor, is animated and intense.

From Los Angeles Times

The directors, called to an emergency meeting at the home of the chairman of the board of the American Steel Corp., have the haughty mien of British aristocrats.

From Los Angeles Times

Russell’s powerful, at times operatic, vocals and energetic stage presence proved the perfect foil for Ron’s distinctly quirky mien and adroit facility with words and keys.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• countenance
• demeanor