mannerism
noun
man·ner·ism
ˈma-nə-ˌri-zəm 
1
a
: exaggerated or affected (see affected entry 2 sense 1) adherence to a particular style or manner : artificiality, preciosity
refined almost to the point of mannerism—
Winthrop Sargeant
Winthrop Sargeant
b
often capitalized
: an art style in late 16th century Europe characterized by spatial incongruity and excessive elongation of the human figures
2
: a characteristic and often unconscious mode or peculiarity of action, bearing, or treatment
The actor can mimic the President's mannerisms perfectly.
Synonyms
Examples of mannerism in a Sentence
The actor can mimic the President's mannerisms perfectly.
quirky mannerisms such as toying with her hair and tapping her toes
Recent Examples on the Web
He’s studied his voice, learned to emulate his mannerisms, and trained vocally to sing his songs.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2024
Stewart did admit that Reynolds knows how to adopt funny mannerisms in his work, though.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024
In the years since, the site has taken on the mannerisms of establishment food media, in which editorial content is pushed to the fore.
—Ruby Tandoh, The New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2024
Wilson and Sheen are pretty exacting in their attention to their characters’ mannerisms and the intonations of their voices.
—Jack King, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mannerism 
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Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2024
Stewart did admit that Reynolds knows how to adopt funny mannerisms in his work, though.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024
In the years since, the site has taken on the mannerisms of establishment food media, in which editorial content is pushed to the fore.
—Ruby Tandoh, The New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2024
Wilson and Sheen are pretty exacting in their attention to their characters’ mannerisms and the intonations of their voices.
—Jack King, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mannerism
Dictionary Entries Near mannerism
Cite this Entry
“Mannerism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mannerism. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mannerism
noun
man·ner·ism
ˈman-ə-ˌriz-əm
: a characteristic and often unconscious way of acting
the mannerism of constantly adjusting her glasses
Medical Definition
mannerism
noun
man·ner·ism
ˈman-ə-ˌriz-əm
: a characteristic and often unconscious mode or peculiarity of action, bearing, or treatment
especially
: any pointless and compulsive activity performed repeatedly
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