mannered

4 definitions • 6 examples

A mannered style of speech or behaviour is artificial, or intended to achieve a particular effect:

His performance as Hamlet was criticized for being very mannered.

used to describe a person with the behaviour or character of the stated type:

a bad-mannered boy

He was a mild-mannered (= gentle and calm) young man.

I noticed how well-mannered her children were.

having ways of behaving toward people:

The children are well mannered.

disapproving A mannered way of speaking or behaving is one that is artificial, or intended to achieve a particular effect:

He continued to write, but his mannered prose was not well received.