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Glite Dictionary
🎭 Artificial style 🤹 Affecting manners 🖼️ Mannerism artist
mannerist

mannerist

8.6
A person who uses exaggerated gestures and an unnatural style
  • noun
  • /ˈmænərɪst/
translation icon : mannerista
  • The actor's performance was criticized for being too mannerist, as it relied heavily on exaggerated gestures.

Examples

  • A plain, direct diction rather than a mannerist, artificial language makes up Arthur's antimetabole.

    Academic text (2000)

  • His mannerist style of speaking often seemed over-the-top, making his audience feel uncomfortable.

  • In her art class, she often pointed out students who were mannerist, using poses and gestures that felt forced.

Synonyms

exhibitionist
vsmannerist
7 7.5

Someone who behaves to get attention by showing off skills or style

places more emphasis on exaggerated, artificial gestures than on showing skill
swisher
vsmannerist
  • UK
2 9.4

A person who walks or moves in a smooth, showy way to get attention

is more about affected, artificial manners rather than only fashionable movement
showboater
vsmannerist
  • Informal
1 7.9

A person who shows off to get attention

leans toward affected, artificial manner rather than just flashy showmanship
posturer
vsmannerist
  • Offensive
9.3

A person who acts to impress others rather than show true feelings

focuses more on exaggerated, artificial gestures than on deception intent
melodramatist
vsmannerist
8.8

A person who reacts in a very emotional way to small ordinary events

expresses exaggeration through manner and gestures rather than emotional drama
swaggerer
vsmannerist
7.9

A person who walks and acts very confidently, often bragging

shows exaggerated, affected manners rather than mainly proud or boastful attitude

Antonyms

sincere
239 2.5

Being honest and showing what you really feel

authentic
218 3.8

Something that is real and trustworthy, not a fake

How Affected

poseur
  • Offensive
8 9.9
mannerist
8.6

Surface Forms

mannerist singular
mannerists plural

Morphology

mannerist = mannerism (semi-transparent) = mannerism + ist

Built from 'mannerism' + '-ist'; the structure indicates 'person characterised by mannerism(s)', but the pejorative nuance 'affected or artificial' is a lexicalized sense learners may not predict.

Etymology

Mannerist comes from manner ('way' or 'style') plus the ending -ist meaning 'person who does something', and it traces to Italian maniera ('style'). A helpful way to remember it is that a mannerist is a person who shows an artificial, showy way of acting or speaking.