manner

manner

man‧ner S3 W2 /ˈmænə $ -ər/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: maniere 'way of acting, way of handling', from Latin manuarius 'of the hand', from manus 'hand']
1. [singular] formal the way in which something is done or happens
manner of (doing) something
It seemed rather an odd manner of deciding things.
He felt some guilt over the manner of her death.
in a ... manner
I had hoped you would behave in a more responsible manner.
The issue will be resolved in a manner that is fair to both sides.
criticism of the manner in which the bishop was appointed
in the usual/normal etc manner
The matter should be submitted to the accounts committee in the usual manner.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say in a ... way rather than in a ... manner, or they use an adverb instead:
▪ They behaved in a very reasonable way.
▪ They behaved very reasonably.
2. [singular] the way in which someone behaves towards or talks to other people:
She has a calm relaxed manner.
manner towards
Something in Beth’s manner towards him had changed.
Sophie resented his high-handed manner.
3. manners [plural] polite ways of behaving in social situations:
Her children all had such good manners.
It’s bad manners to talk with your mouth full (=talk and eat at the same time).
His manners were impeccable.
Dad gave us a lecture about our table manners.
You mind your manners, young man!
‘Lesley just got up and left.’ ‘Some people have no manners.’
Good heavens, child, where are your manners?
4. manners [plural] formal the customs of a particular group of people:
a book about the life and manners of Victorian London
5. in a manner of speaking in some ways, though not exactly:
‘Are you his girlfriend?’ Nicola asked. ‘In a manner of speaking.’
6. all manner of something formal many different kinds of things or people:
We would discuss all manner of subjects.
The British Isles have been conquered by all manner of people.
7. in the manner of somebody/something formal in the style that is typical of a particular person or thing:
a painting in the manner of the early Impressionists
8. what manner of ...? literary what kind of:
What manner of son would treat his mother in such a way?
9. not by any manner of means British English spoken formal not at all:
I haven’t lost my interest in politics by any manner of means.
10. (as) to the manner born if you do something new as to the manner born, you do it in a natural confident way, as if you have done it many times before
⇨ BEDSIDE MANNER, COMEDY OF MANNERS
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COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 3)
■ verbs
▪ have good/bad manners All their children have such good manners.
▪ mind your manners (also remember your manners British English) (=used for telling a child to behave politely) I frowned at him and told him to mind his manners.
▪ have no manners (=regularly not behave politely) He has no manners and he eats like a pig.
▪ forget your manners (=behave in an impolite way) Oh, I’m forgetting my manners. Let me introduce you to Suzanne.
▪ teach somebody manners (=often used when criticizing someone’s impolite behaviour) Those girls need to be taught some manners!
■ phrases
▪ it’s good/bad manners to do something It’s bad manners to chew with your mouth open.
▪ where are your manners? British English (=used for telling a child to stop behaving impolitely) Jamie! Where are your manners?
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + manners
▪ good manners Good manners could not prevent her from asking the question.
▪ bad manners She apologized for her son’s bad manners.
▪ excellent/beautiful manners (=very good manners) Her children have excellent manners.
▪ perfect/impeccable manners Suddenly, his perfect manners were gone.
▪ nice manners (=good manners) She has such nice manners.
▪ table manners (=the polite way of eating at a table) My parents expected us to have good table manners.
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THESAURUS
▪ behaviour British English, behavior American English the way someone behaves: Chemicals added to food may be responsible for children’s bad behaviour. | Tatsuya apologized for his behaviour towards me.
▪ conduct formal the way someone behaves in public or in their job – used mainly in official or legal contexts: Bates was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct (=noisy and violent). | The committee found him guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct.
▪ manner the way someone behaves when they are talking to or dealing with other people, which is shown in their expression, their voice etc: She had a pleasant friendly manner. | Suddenly his whole manner changed, and he started shouting. | His initial manner towards her had been rather formal.
▪ demeanour British English, demeanor American English formal the way someone looks and behaves, which shows you something about their character or feelings: She maintained a calm demeanour at all times. | Wenger’s demeanour suggested that he was not happy with the situation.
▪ antics someone’s behaviour – used when you think it is silly, funny, strange, or annoying: The drunken antics of some English football fans has brought shame on the country. | The actor is becoming known for his increasingly bizarre off-screen antics.