manner

manner — noun

1. the particular way in which you do something or the way something happens or is

1.nounB1
Definition

the particular way in which you do something or the way something happens or is experienced

Example

Owen recounted his childhood adventures in a humorous manner that made everyone laugh.

in a + adjective + manner pattern

Abigail cooked the meat in the same manner her grandmother had always done.

Common collocations
  • in a + adjective + manner
  • in the same manner
  • in a manner of speaking
  • in the manner that...
  • manner of doing something
Synonyms
  • way

    more general and neutral; can be used in most contexts where 'manner' fits

  • method

    implies a deliberate, step-by-step system rather than just a general way

  • fashion

    slightly more formal; very similar to 'manner' in the 'in a...fashion' pattern

  • mode

    more technical or formal; often used in computing, science, or statistics

Grammar Patterns

in a + adjective + manner

in the manner that...

manner of + noun

Usage Note

This is the broadest and most common sense. It often appears in the pattern 'in a + adjective + manner' (e.g. 'in a timely manner'). Differentiate from 'method', which implies a deliberate, step-by-step procedure rather than just a general way.

Common Mistakes

She explained it in a manner.
She explained it in a clear manner.
'Manner' in this sense almost always needs a modifier or description telling the reader what kind of way.
What is the best manner to cook rice?
What is the best way to cook rice?
Use 'way' or 'method' for asking about a procedure; 'manner' sounds unnatural in direct questions about technique.

2. a way of making something that copies the style of a particular artist, place, o

2.nounB2
Definition

a way of making something that copies the style of a particular artist, place, or period

Example

The young painter worked in the manner of the great Renaissance masters.

in the manner of + artist/style

Gabriel built the garden shed in the manner of a traditional Japanese teahouse.

Common collocations
  • in the manner of
  • after the manner of
Synonyms
  • style

    more general and widely used; 'manner' is more formal and specific to artistic imitation

  • fashion

    similar meaning but slightly old-fashioned in this use

  • mode

    formal; used especially in art history and music

Grammar Patterns

in the manner of + noun

after the manner of + noun

Usage Note

Always appears in the fixed pattern 'in the manner of + noun'. Common in discussions of art, architecture, music, cooking, and literature. Do not confuse with sense 1 (WAY OF DOING), where 'manner' describes how a task is done rather than whose style it imitates.

Common Mistakes

He cooks Italian manner.
He cooks in the manner of an Italian chef.
The pattern requires 'in the manner of' before the noun.

3. the way someone behaves or presents themselves, especially in their interactions

3.nounB1
Definition

the way someone behaves or presents themselves, especially in their interactions with other people

Example

Yael spoke to the interviewer in a calm and confident manner.

adjective + manner describing behaviour

Ritu has a warm manner that puts everyone around her at ease.

Common collocations
  • warm manner
  • calm manner
  • professional manner
  • formal manner
  • friendly manner
  • manner towards
  • manner with
Synonyms
  • demeanour

    more formal; strongly focuses on outward appearance and bearing

  • conduct

    more formal and general; can refer to overall moral behaviour

  • bearing

    formal; describes posture and physical presence rather than interaction style

  • attitude

    focuses on mindset and opinion rather than outward behaviour

Grammar Patterns

possessive + manner

manner towards + noun

Usage Note

Describes someone's general way of behaving or their personal style of interacting with others. Unlike sense 1 (WAY OF DOING), this sense is about social conduct and interpersonal style, not about how a task is performed. Frequently paired with adjectives describing personal qualities (warm, calm, gentle, brusque, formal).

Common Mistakes

His manner to speak is very direct.
His manner of speaking is very direct.
Use 'manner of + gerund' not 'manner to + infinitive'.

4. the socially correct and polite ways of behaving in public or when dealing with

4.nounA2
Definition

the socially correct and polite ways of behaving in public or when dealing with other people — always used in the plural form 'manners'

Example

Élise taught her children good table manners from a very young age.

table manners — eating etiquette

It is bad manners to talk with food still in your mouth.

it is + adjective + manners to + infinitive

Common collocations
  • good manners
  • bad manners
  • table manners
  • excellent manners
  • impeccable manners
  • terrible manners
  • have the manners to
  • it is good manners to
  • it is bad manners to
  • teach someone manners
Synonyms
  • etiquette

    more formal; refers to a complete system of polite rules rather than a person's behaviour

  • politeness

    focuses on the quality of being polite rather than specific behaviours

  • courtesy

    formal; emphasises respectful and considerate treatment of others

Antonyms
  • rudeness

    the quality of being impolite or disrespectful

Grammar Patterns

good manners

bad manners

table manners

it is good/bad manners to + infinitive

Usage Note

Nearly always used in the plural 'manners'. The singular 'a manner' never means polite behaviour. Common with the adjectives 'good', 'bad', 'excellent', 'terrible', 'impeccable'. Frequently appears in the fixed expression 'table manners' and the construction 'it is good/bad manners to + infinitive'.

Common Mistakes

He has very good manner.
He has very good manners.
'Manners' is always plural for polite behaviour.
She has no manner.
She has no manners.' or 'She has bad manners.
Never use the singular for this sense.

5. a way of referring to a wide variety of types or kinds of something — used only

5.nounB2
Definition

a way of referring to a wide variety of types or kinds of something — used only in the fixed phrases 'all manner of' and 'what manner of'

Example

The weekend market sold all manner of goods, from fresh vegetables to antique furniture.

all manner of + plural noun

Eri has tried all manner of diets, but none of them produced lasting results.

Common collocations
  • all manner of
  • what manner of
Synonyms
  • type

    the general word for category; usable in everyday questions

  • kind

    very similar to 'type'; the most natural choice in spoken English

  • sort

    informal; very common in British English for categories

Grammar Patterns

all manner of + plural noun

what manner of + noun

Usage Note

Confined to two fixed patterns. 'All manner of X' means 'many different types of X' (e.g. 'all manner of problems' = many different problems). 'What manner of X' appears in literary or formal rhetorical questions and means 'what kind of X'. This sense rarely appears outside these two constructions.

Common Mistakes

The shop sells all manners of books.
The shop sells all manner of books.
'Manner' stays singular in this phrase, even though it refers to many types.
What manner of food you like?
What kind of food do you like?
'What manner of...' is only used in literary or formal rhetorical questions, not everyday asking.
Idioms

all manner of somebody/something

idiom

A large variety of people or things.

The library has all manner of books for children.

At the festival, we met all manner of interesting people.

in the manner of somebody/something

idiom

In a style that is characteristic of a particular person or thing.

She painted the portrait in the manner of Van Gogh.

The chef prepared the dish in the manner of traditional Italian cooking.

in a manner of speaking

idiom

Used to say that something is true in a certain way, but not completely.

He is, in a manner of speaking, the leader of the group.

In a manner of speaking, we are all responsible for the mistake.

(as/as if) to the manner born

idiom

Behaving as if something is very natural and familiar, as if you have done it many times.

She handled the horse as if to the manner born.

He gave a speech to the manner born, impressing everyone.

what manner of…

idiom

Used to ask about the type or kind of something, often with surprise or disapproval.

What manner of creature is that?

What manner of person would say such a thing?

Word family

  • mannerism
    nounC1
  • mannered
    adjectiveC1
  • mannerly
    adjectiveC1
  • ill-mannered
    adjectiveB2
  • well-mannered
    adjectiveB2
  • bad-mannered
    adjectiveB2
  • good-mannered
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe how something is done, but with important differences. 'Way' is the most common and neutral choice — it fits any context, from casual ('show me the right way to chop an onion') to formal ('the best way to proceed'). 'Method' suggests a deliberate, step-by-step system or procedure, often one that has been tested and refined ('a scientific method for measuring temperature'). 'Fashion' overlaps with 'manner' in the phrase 'in a...fashion' and is slightly more formal ('the work was done in a timely fashion'), but sounds old-fashioned in everyday speech. 'Mode' is the most technical or formal of the four; it is common in computing ('safe mode'), science ('mode of transmission'), and formal writing ('mode of transport'). For the learner, using 'way' is almost always correct; use 'manner' when you need a more formal tone, 'method' when a system or procedure is involved, and 'mode' only in technical contexts.

way ↗method ↗fashion ↗mode ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • in a similar manner
  • in a timely manner
  • in a professional manner
  • in a satisfactory manner

Phrases

Prepositions

  • in a... manner
  • manner of
  • manner towards

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Manner entered English in the 12th century through Old French 'maniere', meaning 'way of handling, method, or custom'. The French word came from Vulgar Latin 'manuaria' (belonging to the hand), derived from Latin 'manus' (hand). The original connection to the hand reflects the idea of something being 'handled' or 'managed'. The plural form 'manners', meaning polite social behaviour, developed in the 14th century from the idea of 'customary conduct' — how one handles oneself in society. The 'type' sense (as in 'all manner of things') emerged in the 13th century, extending the idea of 'way of being' to 'kind or sort'.