Word: mannered (adjective)

Associations

"Mannered" describes the way a person behaves or speaks, often meaning they have a certain style or way of acting. Sometimes it can mean that the behavior seems a bit artificial or not natural.

• He spoke in a very mannered way, using formal words. This means his way of speaking was polite but maybe a little unnatural.
• The actor gave a mannered performance, which some people thought was too stiff. Here, it means the acting seemed controlled or not relaxed.
• She has a mannered style of writing, always very careful and precise. This means her writing has a particular style or way.

Synonym: "polished" can be similar but usually means smooth and skillful without the negative idea of being artificial. "Mannered" sometimes suggests the behavior is a bit forced or unnatural, while "polished" is more positive.

Substitution

Instead of "mannered," you could say:

• "formal" (if you want to say the behavior is very proper)
• "affected" (if you want to say the behavior seems fake or unnatural)
• "stylized" (if you want to say the behavior has a specific style)

Each word changes the meaning a little. For example, "affected" is more negative than "mannered."

Deconstruction

The root word is "manner," which means a way of doing something or behaving. The suffix "-ed" turns it into an adjective meaning "having a certain manner or style." So "mannered" literally means "having manners" or a certain way of behaving.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when someone acted in a "mannered" way? Was it natural or a bit forced?
• How does "mannered" behavior compare to being relaxed or casual?
• Do you think being "mannered" is always good, or can it sometimes be a problem? Why?