man·ner
Pronounced:
/ˈmænɚ/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural man·nersMeaning:
1 [singular] somewhat formal : the way that something is done or happens ▪ She has a very forceful manner of speaking. ▪ I objected to the manner in which the decision was made. —often used after in ▪ Continue stirring in this manner until the sauce thickens. ▪ In this manner, we were able to save enough money for a new car. ▪ In what manner was the data collected? [=how was the data collected?] ▪ We worked in a quick manner. [=we worked quickly] ▪ She taught her class in an informal manner. ▪ He always begins his stories in the same manner. ▪ We were allowed to spend the money in any manner we wanted.
2 a [count] : the way that a person normally behaves especially while with other people —usually singular ▪ He had a gentle manner (about him). ▪ He listened patiently to his children, as was his manner. ▪ It was her energetic and friendly manner that got her the job. —see also bedside manner b manners [plural] : behavior while with other people ▪ His children have excellent manners. [=his children behave very well] ▪ It's bad manners [=it is impolite] to talk with your mouth full. c manners [plural] : knowledge of how to behave politely while with other people ▪ Some people have no manners. ▪ Someone should teach you some manners! ▪ He forgot his manners and reached across the table for the salt. ◊To remember/mind your manners is to behave in a polite and proper way. ▪ “Mind your manners,” Mom said sternly, “and thank your uncle for the nice gifts.” —see also table manners
3 [singular] : an artistic style or method ▪ He painted this picture in his early manner. —often used in the phrase in/after the manner of ▪ She wrote after the manner of [=in the style of] her favorite poet. ▪ This church was built in the manner of the English Gothic style.
2 a [count] : the way that a person normally behaves especially while with other people —usually singular ▪ He had a gentle manner (about him). ▪ He listened patiently to his children, as was his manner. ▪ It was her energetic and friendly manner that got her the job. —see also bedside manner b manners [plural] : behavior while with other people ▪ His children have excellent manners. [=his children behave very well] ▪ It's bad manners [=it is impolite] to talk with your mouth full. c manners [plural] : knowledge of how to behave politely while with other people ▪ Some people have no manners. ▪ Someone should teach you some manners! ▪ He forgot his manners and reached across the table for the salt. ◊To remember/mind your manners is to behave in a polite and proper way. ▪ “Mind your manners,” Mom said sternly, “and thank your uncle for the nice gifts.” —see also table manners
3 [singular] : an artistic style or method ▪ He painted this picture in his early manner. —often used in the phrase in/after the manner of ▪ She wrote after the manner of [=in the style of] her favorite poet. ▪ This church was built in the manner of the English Gothic style.
all manner of
: all kinds or sorts of (things or people) ▪ The store sells all manner of musical instruments. ▪ All manner of people come to the city.
in a manner of speaking
—used to say that a statement is true or accurate in a certain way even if it is not literally or completely true ▪ His retirement was, in a manner of speaking, the beginning of his real career. ▪ After the storm destroyed their house, they were, in a manner of speaking [=so to speak, as it were], lost at sea. [=they felt lost and confused after their house was destroyed]
not by any manner of means —see means
to the manner born
: suited to a particular position, role, or status in a way that seems very natural ▪ He had never been on a boat before, but he walked along the deck as if to the manner born.
what manner of
old-fashioned + literary : what kind or sort of ▪ What manner of person could have committed such a crime? ▪ What manner of woman is she to have done something like that?