manner
MA-nuh
Manner (noun) means the way something is done or happens. Example: “He answered the question in a very calm manner.”
noun
1
The way something is done or happens.
"He answered the question in a very calm manner."
"The problem was solved in an unusual manner."
"The parcel arrived in a timely manner despite the heavy snow."
2
A person's typical way of behaving toward others.
"Her friendly manner put the nervous patient at ease."
"He has a gentle manner that makes children trust him."
"The new waiter's rude manner surprised the customers."
3
Sort or kind.
"All manner of people showed up to the festival."
"What manner of animal could have left such huge tracks?"
"Shops selling all manner of second-hand goods lined the street."
How to use manner
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe way something is done, or the way a person typically behaves.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with the plural "manners," which specifically means polite social behaviour.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
in a manner of speaking
a brusque manner
all manner of
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Word forms
- Plural
- manners
- Third person singular
- manners
- Past tense
- mannered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He answered the question in a very calm _____.
Etymology
From Old French maniere, ultimately from Latin manus ("hand") — the original sense was close to "handling" or "way of handling something."
Related words
Rhymes for manner
See all rhymes for manner →Frequently asked questions
What does “manner” mean?
The word “manner” means the way something is done or happens. In plain terms, the way something is done, or the way a person typically behaves.
How do you pronounce “manner”?
“Manner” is pronounced MA-nuh (/ˈmænɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “manner” in a sentence?
Here is “manner” used in a sentence: “He answered the question in a very calm manner.”
What part of speech is “manner”?
“Manner” is a noun.
Where does the word “manner” come from?
The word “manner” comes from Latin. From Old French maniere, ultimately from Latin manus ("hand") — the original sense was close to "handling" or "way of handling something.".
Is “manner” a common word?
“Manner” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “manner” have?
“Manner” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the way something is done or happens.
What is the difference between manner and manners?
In the singular, manner means the way in which something is done, for example, 'she answered in a calm manner.' In the plural, manners refers to a person's social behaviour and politeness, as in 'good table manners.' They come from the same root but are used quite differently.
What is the difference between manner and method?
Manner describes the way or style in which something is done, whether quickly, politely, or carelessly. Method refers to a set procedure or system for doing it, a defined series of steps. You might follow the same method but carry it out in a very different manner from someone else.
What is an example of manner?
You could say someone 'spoke in a friendly manner' or 'drove in a reckless manner,' describing the way the action was carried out. The phrase 'in this manner' means 'in this way.' In each case, manner points to the how of something, its style or approach, rather than the what.
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