modus operandi

noun

mo·​dus ope·​ran·​di ˌmō-dəs-ˌä-pə-ˈran-dē 

-ˌdī

plural modi operandi ˈmō-ˌdē- 

ˈmō-ˌdī-

: a method of procedure

the best approach … was to do things through quiet persuasion, which was his modus operandi

—James Traub

especially : a distinct pattern or method of operation that indicates or suggests the work of a single criminal in more than one crime

got her picture identified, discovered her modus operandi, and put a stakeout on her neighborhood

—Time

Examples of modus operandi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Zito's modus operandi is scalping women and attaching their hair to mannequins, which probably has nothing to do with his mommy issues... Tom Savini truly works his magic in Maniac, and the special makeup effects are haunting, but the film also gets a boost from a pair of genre heavy-hitters. —Steven Thrash, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2024

Each of Matsuhisa’s restaurants adheres to Nobu’s modus operandi — intimate luxury, quality food — while also using local ingredients to reflect cultural appetites. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

The result is obscene, but the underlying logic is the modus operandi of our algorithmic age. —Ben Tarnoff, The New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2024

That was the modus operandi for the final day of Paris Fashion Week. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

modus operandi

noun

mo·​dus ope·​ran·​di ˌmō-dəs-ˌä-pə-ˈran-dē, -ˌdī 

: a distinct pattern or method of operation especially that indicates or suggests the work of a single criminal in more than one crime

Etymology

New Latin, manner of operating