Meaning & use
demeanor
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Meanings
noununcountable
The way a person behaves and looks to other people, especially as a sign of their mood or character.
Grammar: Used without 'a' or a plural: his calm demeanor, not 'a demeanor' in general statements; 'a ... demeanor' appears only with a describing adjective.
Patterns
- someone's demeanor toward someone
- a calm/friendly/professional demeanor
- change someone's demeanor
Her calm demeanor reassured the nervous patients.
He kept a professional demeanor even when the customer shouted at him.
Nothing in his demeanor suggested that he was worried.
nounsingularfigurative
The general appearance or manner of something, such as an organization or a place.
Grammar: Usually used with 'the' plus a describing adjective: the whole demeanor of the place.
Patterns
- the demeanor of something
The company's new, friendlier demeanor impressed investors.
The quiet demeanor of the old town appealed to visitors.
Common combinations
- a calm demeanor
- She answered every question with a calm demeanor.
- a professional demeanor
- Nurses are trained to keep a professional demeanor.
- someone's demeanor changes
- His demeanor changed the moment his boss walked in.
- maintain a demeanor
- It is hard to maintain a cheerful demeanor all day.
- a friendly demeanor
- The new teacher's friendly demeanor won the class over.
Synonyms and how they differ
- manner
- Manner is more about the way you do something in a particular situation, while demeanor describes the overall impression a person gives.
- bearing
- Bearing is more formal and stresses how someone holds and carries themselves physically.
- conduct
- Conduct refers to actions judged right or wrong, not to the impression someone's behavior gives.
Word family
- demean verb
- To make someone lose dignity or respect; not related in modern meaning to 'demeanor'.
Commonly confused: demeanor or demean? demeanor or manner?
demeanor vs demean
'Demean' is a verb meaning to lower someone's dignity. 'Demeanor' is the noun for how someone behaves and appears.
demeanor vs manner
'Manner' often refers to one specific way of acting; 'demeanor' is the whole outward impression a person gives.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'demeanor' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Demeanor' is an uncountable noun meaning outward behavior, so 'his calm demeanor helped everyone relax' fits. Option 0 wrongly uses it as a verb, option 2 wrongly treats it as a countable plural, and option 3 mixes it with the unrelated verb 'demean'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “demeanor”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.