mannerism

/ˈmæn.ər.ɪ.zəm/ (bre, ipa) · [mˈænɚˌɪzəm] /ˈmæn.ɚ.ɪ.zəm/ (ame, ipa) · [mˈænɚˌɪzəm] /ˈma-nə-ˌri-zəm/ (ame, mw)

mannerism — noun

  • mannerismsingular
  • mannerismsplural

1. a small repeated movement, sound, or speech habit that is typical of one person

1.名詞C1
釋義

a small repeated movement, sound, or speech habit that is typical of one person and often happens without the person noticing it

例句

Tapping the table before meetings is Jin's most obvious mannerism.

somebody's mannerism

One mannerism of the singer was brushing her hair behind her ear.

a mannerism of + -ing

同義詞
  • habit

    a broader repeated behavior, not necessarily a small personal gesture

  • tic

    usually a brief repeated movement, often with a medical sense

  • quirk

    an unusual personal trait, broader than a repeated movement

文法句型

somebody's mannerism

a mannerism of + -ing

notice a mannerism

用法筆記

Often used for small repeated movements or speech habits that other people notice before the person does. Common with verbs like notice, pick up, and develop.

2. an artistic style, especially in sixteenth-century Italy, that preferred stretch

2.名詞C2
釋義

an artistic style, especially in sixteenth-century Italy, that preferred stretched shapes and elegant distortion instead of lifelike balance

例句

Our art teacher said the long necks were a mannerism of the period.

a mannerism of + period/style

This painting shows mannerism in the way the bodies twist and stretch.

mannerism in + noun

同義詞
  • style

    the broadest word; not every style belongs to this historical movement

  • movement

    emphasizes a recognized group or period in art history

  • school

    can describe a shared artistic tradition, though it is less specific

文法句型

mannerism in + noun

a mannerism of + period/style

用法筆記

Used mainly in art history, especially for sixteenth-century Italian painting and sculpture. Distinguish from sense 3, which can describe any over-stylized behavior or writing, not this named movement.

3. a way of speaking, writing, or performing that feels too studied, decorative, or

3.名詞C2
釋義

a way of speaking, writing, or performing that feels too studied, decorative, or unnatural

例句

Critics dismissed the poet's heavy rhyme as empty mannerism.

empty mannerism

After years on television, James's pause before every joke became mere mannerism.

mere mannerism

同義詞
  • affectation

    suggests behavior that feels deliberately artificial

  • artificiality

    focuses on the lack of natural feeling rather than the repeated habit

  • stylization

    can be neutral, while mannerism is often critical in this sense

文法句型

mere/empty mannerism

turn into mannerism

mannerism in + art/writing

用法筆記

Usually critical. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 can be neutral and refers to a personal habit, while sense 3 suggests the style feels forced or overdone.