mannerism

noun

man·​ner·​ism ˈma-nə-ˌri-zəm 

1

a

: exaggerated or affected (see affected entry 2 sense 1) adherence to a particular style or manner : artificiality, preciosity

refined almost to the point of mannerism

—Winthrop Sargeant

b

often capitalized : an art style in late 16th century Europe characterized by spatial incongruity and excessive elongation of the human figures

2

: a characteristic and often unconscious mode or peculiarity of action, bearing, or treatment

The actor can mimic the President's mannerisms perfectly.

mannerist

ˈma-nə-rist 

noun or adjective

manneristic

ˌma-nə-ˈri-stik 

adjective

Synonyms

• crotchet
• curiosity
• eccentricity
• erraticism
• idiosyncrasy
• individualism
• kink
• oddity
• peculiarity
• quiddity
• quip
• quirk
• singularity
• tic
• trick
• twist

Choose the Right Synonym for mannerism

pose, air, airs, affectation, mannerism mean an adopted way of speaking or behaving.

pose implies an attitude deliberately assumed in order to impress others.

her shyness was just a pose

air may suggest natural acquirement through environment or way of life.

a traveler's sophisticated air

airs always implies artificiality and pretentiousness.

snobbish airs

affectation applies to a trick of speech or behavior that strikes the observer as insincere.

the posh accent is an affectation

mannerism applies to an acquired eccentricity that has become a habit.

gesturing with a cigarette was her most noticeable mannerism

Examples of mannerism in a Sentence

The actor can mimic the President's mannerisms perfectly.

quirky mannerisms such as toying with her hair and tapping her toes

Recent Examples on the Web

Kim and actress, Yoon Se-ah, who plays his wife, excel in the mysterious expressions and robotic mannerisms that make the story all the more compelling. —Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

The key to this is that the studio used the likeness of Harrison Ford, whose looks and mannerisms are intrinsic to the character. —Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 10 Dec. 2024

Aside from a striking physical resemblance to the Silent Brotherhood’s founder, Hoult closely studied his subject, aping Mathews’ mannerisms and movements from old documentary footage, studying texts that radicalized his subject, lifting weights, and cutting alcohol from his diet. —Ali Winston, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024

According to Schrader, the key to Leonard Fife was simply stripping away all of Gere’s own mannerisms and affectations. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

mannerism

noun

man·​ner·​ism ˈman-ə-ˌriz-əm 

: a characteristic and often unconscious way of acting

the mannerism of constantly adjusting her glasses

Medical Definition

mannerism

noun

man·​ner·​ism ˈman-ə-ˌriz-əm 

: a characteristic and often unconscious mode or peculiarity of action, bearing, or treatment

especially : any pointless and compulsive activity performed repeatedly