1
a(1)
: a characteristic or customary mode of acting : custom
stopped to speak, after the manner of the country—
Ellen Glasgow
Ellen Glasgow
(2)
: a mode of procedure or way of acting : fashion
responded in a lively manner
(3)
: method of artistic execution (see execution sense 1) or mode of presentation : style
offers plenty of room for many jazz manners Wilder Hobson
b
manners plural
: social conduct or rules of conduct as shown in the prevalent customs
Victorian manners
c
: characteristic or distinctive bearing (see bearing sense 1), air, or deportment
his poised gracious manner
d
manners plural
(1)
: habitual conduct or deportment : behavior
mind your manners
(2)
: good manners
Someone should teach you some manners.
e
: a distinguished or stylish air
taught to acquire a manner suitable to her station
Phrases
to the manner born
: fitted by or as if by birth or rearing to a particular position, role, or status
was not to the manner born, and did not go to prep schools or to an Ivy League school—Peter Tryell
Peter TryellExamples of manner in a Sentence
She has a very forceful manner of speaking.
I objected to the manner in which the decision was made.
Some people have no manners.
Someone should teach you some manners!
He forgot his manners and reached across the table for the salt.
He painted this picture in his early manner.
Recent Examples on the Web
The White House’s approach to social media now resembles the polemical, trolling, vicious manner of posting that Fuentes and his fans helped pioneer.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
Freedom of speech carries a responsibility to exercise it in a manner that respects the safety and rights of others.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
His second arrest came in the wake of the El Paso County Medical Examiner's Office completing their autopsy of Suzanne, whose manner of death was determined to be homicide.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Dangerous content presented in an enticing manner, including upbeat, colorful, and playful tones.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for manner
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Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
Freedom of speech carries a responsibility to exercise it in a manner that respects the safety and rights of others.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
His second arrest came in the wake of the El Paso County Medical Examiner's Office completing their autopsy of Suzanne, whose manner of death was determined to be homicide.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Dangerous content presented in an enticing manner, including upbeat, colorful, and playful tones.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for manner
Cite this Entry
“Manner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manner. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
manner
noun
man·ner
ˈman-ər 
1
a
: sort entry 1 sense 1a, kind
what manner of fools are they
b
: various kinds
—usually used in the phrase all manner of
2
b
: a way of acting or proceeding
worked in a brisk manner
c
: style entry 1 sense 1
painted in the artist's early manner
3
plural
a
: social conduct or rules of conduct as shown in the prevailing customs
b
: characteristic or habitual conduct : behavior
taught the child good manners
especially
: polite behavior
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