demeanor

Intermediatezipf 3.20

Pronunciation

/dɪˈmiːnər/(dih-MEE-nur)

Part of speech

nounneutral

Chinese

举止;态度;外表行为方式

Definition

A person's outward manner or behaviour; the way someone appears to others.

Word family

  • (related: demean /dɪˈmiːn/ v — to lower in dignity — different word)

Collocations

  • calm demeanor
  • professional demeanor
  • friendly demeanor
  • change in demeanor
  • outward demeanor

Examples

  1. 1.Despite the chaos around her, she maintained a calm, composed demeanor throughout the emergency. (outward manner)
  2. 2.His cold demeanor made it difficult for colleagues to approach him. (behavioral manner)

Synonyms

  • manner/ˈmænər/the way a person behaves — more common
  • bearing/ˈbɛərɪŋ/the way someone holds or conducts themselves — more physical
  • comportment/kəmˈpɔːrtmənt/behaviour — more formal

Etymology

from Old French "demener" (to lead, conduct) — de- (completely) + mener (to lead) — how one conducts oneself