modus operandi
noun
mo·dus ope·ran·di ˌmō-dəs-ˌä-pə-ˈran-dē 
-ˌdī
plural modi operandi ˈmō-ˌdē-
ˈmō-ˌdī-
: a method of procedure
the best approach … was to do things through quiet persuasion, which was his modus operandi
James Traub
James Traub especially : a distinct pattern or method of operation that indicates or suggests the work of a single criminal in more than one crime
got her picture identified, discovered her modus operandi, and put a stakeout on her neighborhood Time
Time 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web There’s a premonition of Pop Art in this modus operandi (albeit the inverse of Warhol’s placement of ersatz Brillo boxes in a gallery). Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 11 July 2022 Hiss Golden Messenger rarely plays the same set twice — Taylor’s modus operandi seems to be to go where the spirit moves him — and Saturday did not put the lie to that. Stuart Munro, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Aug. 2022 For Portman, who was new to working with Waititi, that modus operandi was like a breath of fresh air. Sonaiya Kelleystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2022 In a world of algorithmic strategies and cautious planning, Manolo Blahnik’s modus operandi remains delight. Rachel Tashjian, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 Mar. 2022 This can be determined by such things as the modus operandi of the attack, the style or pattern of communication or the leak site where communications are hosted. Etay Maor, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 Baid found a few dozen more profiles with the same modus operandi. Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 10 Aug. 2022 This drive to question the status quo by reimagining the familiar is the designer’s modus operandi. Vogue, 13 Apr. 2022 Individual survival with a view to the Kremlin, not the defense of common interests such as sanctions’ removal, has been the oligarchs’ modus operandi. Stanislav Markus, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2022 See More
Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 11 July 2022 Hiss Golden Messenger rarely plays the same set twice — Taylor’s modus operandi seems to be to go where the spirit moves him — and Saturday did not put the lie to that. Stuart Munro, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Aug. 2022 For Portman, who was new to working with Waititi, that modus operandi was like a breath of fresh air. Sonaiya Kelleystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2022 In a world of algorithmic strategies and cautious planning, Manolo Blahnik’s modus operandi remains delight. Rachel Tashjian, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 Mar. 2022 This can be determined by such things as the modus operandi of the attack, the style or pattern of communication or the leak site where communications are hosted. Etay Maor, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 Baid found a few dozen more profiles with the same modus operandi. Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 10 Aug. 2022 This drive to question the status quo by reimagining the familiar is the designer’s modus operandi. Vogue, 13 Apr. 2022 Individual survival with a view to the Kremlin, not the defense of common interests such as sanctions’ removal, has been the oligarchs’ modus operandi. Stanislav Markus, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin
First Known Use
1654, in the meaning defined above
Legal Definition
modus operandi
noun
mo·dus ope·ran·di ˌmō-dəs-ˌä-pə-ˈran-dē, -ˌdī
: a distinct pattern or method of operation especially that indicates or suggests the work of a single criminal in more than one crime
modi operandi
noun
as in methods
formal a usual way of doing something the thief's modus operandi Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- methods
- recipes
- manners
- plans
- tactics
- approaches
- styles
- strategies
- techniques
- systems
- modes
- steps
- routes
- programs
- methodologies
- intrigues
- games
- schemes
- models
- forms
- ground plans
- fashions
- designs
- lines
- plots
- processes
- blueprints
- game plans
- moves
- hows
- practices
- layouts
- policies
- shifts
- tacks
- routines
- expedients
- practises