Definition

1. Noun (plural)
   • Social deportment; the way a person behaves in social situations, especially concerning politeness and etiquette. Refers to socially acceptable ways of acting, including polite speech and actions. The singular form "manner" refers to a way of doing something or a person's outward bearing, while the plural "manners" specifically concerns social conduct.
   • Polite or well-bred behavior. The customary code of polite behavior in a society or among a group.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (plural):
  • It is important to teach children good manners. (This emphasizes the importance of polite social behavior.)
  • He was criticized for his terrible table manners. (This refers specifically to conduct while eating.)
  • Despite his wealth, he has the manners of a pig. (This is an idiom criticizing someone's behavior as crude, ill-mannered, or socially unacceptable.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• The phrase "mind your manners" is a common instruction, especially to children, meaning to remember to be polite.
• "Manners maketh man" is a proverb meaning that a person's character and worth are judged by their politeness and behavior.
• The term often appears in fixed phrases specifying a context: table manners, bad manners, good manners.

Variants and Related Words

• Manner (noun, singular): A way in which something is done or happens (e.g., ). It can also refer to a person's outward bearing or style (e.g., ). This is distinct from the plural "manners."
• Mannerly (adjective): Polite; well-mannered.
• Well-mannered (adjective): Having good manners; polite.
• Ill-mannered (adjective): Having bad manners; rude.

Synonyms

• Etiquette: The customary code of polite behavior in society or among a specific group.
• Decorum: Behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety.
• Politeness: Behavior that is respectful and considerate of other people.
• Civility: Formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech.

Antonyms

• Rudeness: Lack of manners; discourteous or impolite behavior.
• Boorishness: Rough and bad-mannered behavior.

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• To have the manners of a pig/buffalo: To be very rude, ill-mannered, or lacking in social graces.
• Where are your manners?: A rhetorical question scolding someone for being impolite.
• Mind your P's and Q's: An idiom meaning to be careful about one's behavior and language, closely related to minding one's manners.

Noun

1. social deportment
   • he has the manners of a pig