mien

noun

ˈmēn 

1

: air (see air entry 1 sense 3c) or bearing especially as expressive of attitude or personality : demeanor

of aristocratic mien

of somber mien

the mien of a choirboy

2

: appearance, aspect

dresses of formal mien

Did you know?

Mien is a somewhat literary term that refers to a person’s appearance and behavior toward others—that is, their outward manner or demeanor. Mien and demeanor are also linked through etymology: mien arose in the early 1500s through the shortening and alteration of the rare verb demean, meaning "to conduct or behave (oneself) usually in a proper manner." The source of demean is a Middle English word meaning (among other things) "to behave in a certain way; to conduct oneself"; that word’s Anglo-French source, demener, could mean (also among other things) "to lead," "to strive," "to guide," and "to behave." Note that the "behave" demean related to demeanor and mien is not related to the more common demean that means "to debase"; that word has its roots in an Old English word meaning "common, shared."

Synonyms

• appearance
• aspect
• dress
• figure
• garb
• look
• outside
• presence
• regard [archaic]

Choose the Right Synonym for mien

bearing, deportment, demeanor, mien, manner, carriage mean the outward manifestation of personality or attitude.

bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.

a woman of regal bearing

deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.

your deportment was atrocious

demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.

the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter

mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor.

a mien of supreme self-satisfaction

manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others.

the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders

carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking.

the kind of carriage learned at boarding school

Examples of mien in a Sentence

He has the mien of an ancient warrior.

the friendly mien of the librarian suggested that she was willing to offer any needed help

Recent Examples on the Web

That impulse to impute something more behind the blank mien of a doll has come to fascinate her on a philosophical level. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 June 2024

Unlike Rhoades, a vituperative colossus, however, Williams brings a steely determination and a Joe Friday, just-the-facts mien to his lawyering in the court of public opinion. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024

Adapted from Patricia Highsmith’s classic novel The Talented Mr. Ripley, the film sees the then 25-year-old actor metamorphose into a high-flying and seductive swindler with impeccable style and an impenetrable mien. —Adam Sanchez, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2024

And deservedly so: With so much going on under Shin-ae’s surface, the audience relies on Do-Yeon’s shifting mien to show us that even in the wake of unbearable tragedy, a range of feeling and human experience endures. —Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

by shortening & alteration from demean entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1522, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

mien

noun

ˈmēn 

: look, appearance, or manner especially as showing mood or personality

a kindly mien