mild-mannered
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Behaving in or having a mild or gentle manner: Describes a person who is consistently calm, polite, and not aggressive or easily angered in their behavior and interactions.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective:
- Despite the intense criticism, the politician remained mild-mannered and responded with patience.
- Our new neighbor is a mild-mannered librarian who always greets everyone with a smile.
- His mild-mannered exterior hides a very determined and strong-willed character.
Advanced Usage
- Used to describe a consistent personality trait: The term often implies that the gentle behavior is an inherent or defining characteristic of the person, not just a temporary state.
- Clark Kent's mild-mannered persona is a perfect disguise for Superman.
- Can imply a contrast with hidden strength or passion: It is sometimes used to highlight a surprising contrast between a calm demeanor and a person's true capabilities or inner life.
- She is mild-mannered in meetings but is a fierce and brilliant litigator in the courtroom.
Variants and Related Words
- Mannered (adj): Behaving in a specified way (often used in combination, e.g., , ).
- He was a well-mannered and respectful young man.
- Gentle (adj): Mild in temperament or behavior; kind or tender.
- She has a very gentle way with animals.
Synonyms
- Gentle: Having or showing a mild, kind, or tender temperament.
- Amiable: Having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.
- Good-natured: Kind, friendly, and patient.
- Placid: Not easily upset or excited; calm and peaceful.
Antonyms
- Aggressive: Ready or likely to attack or confront; characterized by hostility.
- Temperamental: Liable to unreasonable changes of mood.
- Irascible: Having or showing a tendency to be easily angered.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- A mild-mannered [profession/role]: A common collocation used to emphasize the stereotypical calmness associated with certain jobs or identities.
- He was the archetypal mild-mannered reporter for the local newspaper.
- To be mild of manner: A more formal or literary way to express the same idea.
- The teacher was known for being mild of manner yet firm in her principles.
Adjective
- behaving in or having a mild or gentle manner