- 1 [singular] (formal) the way that something is done or happens She answered in a businesslike manner. The manner in which the decision was announced was extremely regrettable. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveconventional, normal, standard, … verb + mannerhave, adopt, act in, … manner + verbchange, suggest something prepositionin a/the manner, in the manner of, in your manner, … phrasesin a timely manner, in no uncertain manner See full entry
- 2 [singular] the way that somebody behaves towards other people to have an aggressive/a friendly/a relaxed manner His manner was polite but cool. see also bedside manner Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveconventional, normal, standard, … verb + mannerhave, adopt, act in, … manner + verbchange, suggest something prepositionin a/the manner, in the manner of, in your manner, … phrasesin a timely manner, in no uncertain manner See full entry
- 3 manners [plural] behaviour that is considered to be polite in a particular society or culture to have good/bad manners It is bad manners to talk with your mouth full. He has no manners (= behaves very badly). She could at least have the good manners to let me know she won’t be able to attend. see also table manners Wordfinderbehaviouraction, approach, attitude, behaviour, conform, eccentric, etiquette, habit, manners, morality Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivegood, impeccable, perfect, … verb + mannershave, show, teach somebody, … phraseshave the good manners to do something, have the manners to do something, a lack of manners, … See full entry
- 4manners [plural] (formal) the habits and customs of a particular group of people the social morals and manners of the seventeenth century Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French maniere, based on Latin manuarius ‘of the hand’, from manus ‘hand’.Extra examples All claims must be settled in a professional and timely manner. Chemical waste must be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. Didn’t your parents teach you any manners? Files have been stored in such a haphazard manner that they are impossible to find. Forgive my manners. I forgot to introduce myself. He answered in such an off-hand manner that I wondered if he’d misheard me. He could at least have had the manners to answer my letter. He had very bad table manners. He lectured us in the manner of a headmaster. He tends to adopt a condescending manner when talking to young women. He told her in no uncertain manner that her actions were unacceptable. He was behaving in a highly suspicious manner. He was not as loutish as his manner suggested. He’s a good doctor with a sympathetic bedside manner. Her brusque manner concealed a caring nature. Her lack of manners is appalling. His children have no table manners. His manner changed abruptly when he heard how much I wanted. His no-nonsense manner gave him the reputation of being a good doctor. I did my best to behave in the appropriate manner. I disliked him but I knew my manners so I answered his question. I got into trouble if I didn’t show good manners towards/toward other people. I’m sorry, I was forgetting my manners. Can I offer you a drink? It’s not good manners to stare at people. Now sit down and eat and mind your manners! She accused the teacher of not acting in a professional manner. She has a very pleasant telephone manner. The authoritative manner in which he talked concealed his ignorance. The dispute could have been handled in a more constructive manner. The inspection was conducted in a thoroughly professional manner. There was something in his manner that I found very irritating. You are not approaching the problem in the correct manner. His manner was polite but cool. She answered in a business-like manner. She has a friendly, relaxed manner. The manner in which the decision was taken is extremely regrettable. They shouldn’t be treated in such an offhand manner. Your complaint should be dealt with in an efficient manner.Idioms
many different types of people or things The problem can be solved in all manner of ways. He enjoyed interacting with all manner of different people.
(formal) in a style that is typical of somebody/something a painting in the manner of Raphael
if you think about it in a particular way; true in some but not all ways All these points of view are related, in a manner of speaking.
(formal) as if something is natural for you and you have done it many times in the past She adapted to life on the estate as if to the manner born.
(formal or literary) what kind of… What manner of man could do such a terrible thing?
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