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

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

Examples of modus operandi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After all, their modus operandi is to make everyone else feel inferior, often with the more aggressive stance of making everyone else feel compelled to cede every point to the smartest person. —Matt Butcher, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024

Implementing the idea means putting technology in place to calculate their new values, and the thinking behind the fresh modus operandi is obvious: Valencia, owned by billionaire Peter Lim, can make more money. —Henry Flynn, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024

One of the more unconventional aspects of the artistic directors’ modus operandi is their rejection of discrete product collections tightly defined by specific materials or motifs. —Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2024

That resulted in a strict three-color modus operandi for the show’s first two seasons. —Fawnia Soo Hoo, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Aug. 2024

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

Etymology

New Latin, manner of operating