Word
Definitions
01the way something is done
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. the way that something happens or is done.
n. the mode or method in which an action is performed or an event occurs.
“He spoke in a calm manner despite the stressful situation.”
“The report was written in a professional manner, addressing the technical failures without assigning personal blame to the staff.”
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'in a ... manner'.
02polite behaviour
A2 · Elementary Plural noun
n. polite ways of behaving in social situations.
n. socially acceptable or polite conduct; etiquette.
“It is important to teach children good manners, like saying please and thank you.”
“The diplomat was praised for his impeccable manners and his ability to navigate complex social protocols with ease.”
Usage
Usually plural when referring to social etiquette.
Pitfall
He has a good manner.
He has good manners.
When referring to polite social behaviour in general, use the plural form 'manners'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03personal style or bearing
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the way a person acts, speaks, or looks to others.
n. an individual's characteristic bearing, air, or outward way of behaving.
“Her relaxed manner made everyone at the party feel comfortable.”
“The doctor's bedside manner was clinical and detached, which some patients found efficient while others found it cold.”
Teaching tip
Commonly used in the compound 'bedside manner' to describe how a doctor treats patients.
04type or kind
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Literary · Formal
n. a sort or kind of something.
n. a sort, kind, or variety of something; often used in the phrase 'all manner of'.
“The shop sold all manner of beautiful old books and maps.”
“The investigation uncovered all manner of corruption within the local government, ranging from petty theft to large-scale fraud.”
Usage
Commonly appears in the fixed expression 'all manner of'.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “manner” in context.
Etymology
From Middle English manere, maner, from Anglo-Norman manere, from Old French maniere, from Vulgar Latin *manāria, from feminine of Latin manuarius (“belonging to the hand”), from manus (“hand”). Compare French manière, Italian mannaia (“ax, axe”), Portuguese maneira and maneiro (“handy, portable”), Romanian mâner (“handle”), and Spanish manera.
man + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/manner
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR