If you describe someone's behaviour or a work of art as mannered, you dislike it because it is elaborate or formal, and therefore seems false or artificial.
[disapproval]
...Naomi's mannered voice.
If you arrange your picture too systematically, the results can look very mannered.
Synonyms: affected, put-on, posed, artificial More Synonyms of mannered
2. adjective
Mannered behaviour is polite and observes social customs.
Its intention is to restore pride in the past and create a more mannered society.
They are always perfectly polite and beautifully mannered.
mannered in British English
(ˈmænəd)
adjective
1.
having idiosyncrasies or mannerisms; affected
mannered gestures
2.
of or having mannerisms of style, as in art or literature
3. (in combination)
having manners as specified
ill-mannered
mannered in American English
(ˈmænərərd)
adjective
1.
having manners of a specified sort
used in hyphenated compounds
ill-mannered
2.
having or showing a specified manner
a solemnly mannered ceremony
3.
artificial, stylized, or affected
a mannered literary style
Examples of 'mannered' in a sentence
mannered
Milan has always been elegant, fashionable and well mannered.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Much of it seems artificial and mannered.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He was unfailingly courteous and beautifully mannered.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He was charming and impeccably mannered.
Francis Pryor BRITAIN BC: Life In Britain and Ireland before the Romans (2003)
They were well mannered and sweet.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They can't handle you if you remain well mannered all the time.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Surprisingly heavy, driving guitars lend this otherwise mild mannered comeback track a necessary edge.
The Sun (2012)
Beautifully mannered, she is able to set clients at ease.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
She is well mannered, gentle and calm.
The Sun (2012)
Many of the expats turn from mild mannered into loud, aggressive monsters.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He had a cheeky way, well mannered and very amicable.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He's well mannered and a real gentleman.
The Sun (2008)
His quirky, mannered vocal style takes getting used to but he has always written melodies to die for.
The Sun (2011)
This is a production that dispenses entirely with mannered, artificial theatricality and all the clichés of the genre.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There was his flaw on full display: he was reasonable and well mannered when he should have been shouting and screaming.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
A gangster tale set during the days of prohibition, it wears its mannered style like concrete boots.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Now, and doubtless then, he was well mannered and charming.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
A gangster tale set during Prohibition, it wears its mannered style like concreteboots.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
mannered
British English: mannered ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone's behaviour or a work of art as mannered, you dislike it because it is elaborate or formal, and therefore seems false or artificial.
...Naomi's mannered voice.
American English: mannered
Brazilian Portuguese: rebuscado
Chinese: 造作的
European Spanish: remilgado
French: maniéré
German: manieriert
Italian: affettato
Japanese: わざとらしい
Korean: 자연스럽지 못한
European Portuguese: rebuscado
Latin American Spanish: remilgado
(adjective)
Definition
(of speech or behaviour) unnaturally formal and put on to impress others
If you are too careful, the results can look mannered.
Synonyms
affected
She passed by with an affected air and a disdainful look.
put-on
posed
artificial
The voice was affected, the accent artificial.
pseudo (informal)
pretentious
He talked a lot of pretentious twaddle about modern art.
stilted
His delivery was stilted and occasionally stumbling.
arty-farty (informal)
Opposites
real
,
natural
,
genuine
,
sincere
,
honest
,
unaffected
,
unpretentious
Additional synonyms
in the sense of artificial
Definition
not sincere
The voice was affected, the accent artificial.
Synonyms
insincere,
forced,
affected,
assumed,
phoney or phony (informal),
put on,
false,
pretended,
hollow,
contrived,
unnatural,
feigned,
spurious,
meretricious
in the sense of pretentious
Definition
vulgarly showy
He talked a lot of pretentious twaddle about modern art.
Synonyms
affected,
mannered,
exaggerated,
pompous,
assuming,
hollow,
inflated,
extravagant,
high-flown,
flaunting,
grandiose,
conceited,
showy,
ostentatious,
snobbish,
puffed up,
bombastic,
specious,
grandiloquent,
vainglorious,
high-sounding,
highfalutin (informal),
overambitious,
arty-farty (informal),
magniloquent
in the sense of stilted
Definition
(of speech, writing, or behaviour) formal or pompous
His delivery was stilted and occasionally stumbling.