French word

maniérer

Pronunciation

IPA/manjeʁe/

Meaning

  • verbput on airs

Example

Arrête de maniérer.

Stop putting on airs.

Illustration for maniérer (put on airs)

More examples

Il a tendance à maniérer en réunion.

He tends to put on airs in meetings.

Core concept

A polished pose laid over ordinary speech or conduct.

Similar words

affecter: To adopt a deliberate manner or tone to conceal genuine feelings.
se la jouer: To act as though more important, impressive, or capable than one really is.
frimer: To show off in an attempt to appear more impressive.

Definition in French

Parler ou agir avec un air étudié et prétentieux afin de donner une meilleure impression.

Word origin

Maniérer is formed from manière, meaning manner or way, with the verb ending -er; manière descends from Old French and ultimately Latin manuaria, related to manus, 'hand'.

Usage tips

  • The related adjective maniéré usually means affected or overly mannered, not simply well-mannered.

Other meanings

  • be affectedverb

Word lists with this word