The history of demeanor begins with a threat: the word has its roots in Latin minārī, “to threaten.” A form of that word was used in contexts having to do with driving animals—that is, impelling them to move—and from this word developed more recent ancestors having to do with leading, guiding, and behaving. By the 14th century, English had a adopted a word out of this lineage: the verb demean meaning “to conduct or behave (oneself) usually in a proper manner.” (Another demean, defined as “to lower in character, status, or reputation,” entered the language later by means of another root.) The noun demeanor was formed in the following century through the addition of the suffix -or.
bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.
a woman of regal bearing
deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.
your deportment was atrocious
demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.
the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter
mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor.
a mien of supreme self-satisfaction
manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others.
the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders
carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking.
the kind of carriage learned at boarding school
Examples of demeanor in a Sentence
Staffs like the one at Veritas have come a long way from the days when sommeliers … intimidated diners with their overbearing demeanor and French accents.—Food & Wine, September 2002Sam himself, a quiet young man with a rather shy demeanor, was somewhat bemused by all this attention.—Lola Oberman, Bird Watcher's Digest, November/December 1994
her warm demeanor made us feel at home
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At the Raw on Netflix premiere, The Rock displayed a more amicable demeanor, sharing friendly interactions with both Rhodes and Reigns, further blurring the lines of his potential future involvement.—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025 Still — despite her professional demeanor — her sensuality is undeniable.—Athena Sobhan, People.com, 23 Feb. 2025 Danielle then argues that Carolyn’s aloof demeanor is all an act, à la Columbo, meant to trick people into underestimating her.—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025 Guerrero’s positive demeanor and attitude also would boost the Washington clubhouse.—Jim Bowden, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for demeanor
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