man·ner 
/ˈmænɚ/ noun
plural man·ners /ˈmænɚ/ noun 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.
▪ 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.
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
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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?
▪ What manner of person could have committed such a crime? ▪ What manner of woman is she to have done something like that?
