manners
Britishplural noun
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social conduct
he has the manners of a pig
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This LAX, unlike the island of civility and good manners Maksik remembers from childhood, fosters alienation and dread.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026
His previous film, 2024’s “Speak No Evil,” was a malevolently funny skewering of polite manners and the modern manoverse.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026
"She could never believe how Freddie had such beautiful manners and he was always so deferential and polite and how his trousers were always immaculately creased," he said.
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
Even Tory sympathizers came to resent the manners of the occupying force.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026
“Where are my manners? Of course, we were never properly introduced. I’m Clara.”
From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
