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 Tryell
Examples 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
Ukraine has every right to defend itself in this manner, and there is no indication that Ukrainian forces would intentionally target nuclear warhead storage sites.
—William M. Moon, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
Apparently, my daughter didn’t finish all of the food on her plate, and the mom felt that was incredibly rude and a sign of poor manners.
—Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
Effective facilitation is key to this activity and will help organizations explore creative solutions in an objective manner.
—Swapna Sathyan, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
The cause and manner of death are not yet known at this time.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for manner 
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William M. Moon, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
Apparently, my daughter didn’t finish all of the food on her plate, and the mom felt that was incredibly rude and a sign of poor manners.
—Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
Effective facilitation is key to this activity and will help organizations explore creative solutions in an objective manner.
—Swapna Sathyan, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
The cause and manner of death are not yet known at this time.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for manner
Articles Related to manner
Dictionary Entries Near manner
Cite this Entry
“Manner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manner. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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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