manner

man|ner

W2S3 [ˈmænə US -ər] n

[Date: 1100-1200; : 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) sth

▪ 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.

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 sth

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 sb/sth

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

BrE 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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COLLOCATES for sense 3

have good/bad manners

it's good/bad manners to do something

perfect/impeccable manners

table manners (=the polite way of eating at a table)

mind your manners (=used to tell someone to behave politely)

somebody has no manners (=someone often behaves in a way that is not polite)

remember your manners (=behave politely)

forget your manners (=behave in an impolite way)

where are your manners? British English (=used to tell a child that he or she is behaving impolitely)

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