Demeanor is the way you carry yourself in public—the outward behavior, posture, and bearing that others perceive as your character. Used to describe habitual conduct in social situations, it conveys confidence, composure, and mood without saying a word. In formal writing, it often suggests a more measured, observable presentation than inner motives.
"Her calm demeanor during the crisis reassured the team."
"The manager noted his professional demeanor at the interview."
"Even with pressure mounting, she maintained a courteous demeanor."
"Their friendly demeanor helped diffuse the tense negotiation."
Demeanor comes from the Old French demeneor, from demener meaning to conduct or lead, which itself derives from the combination de- (from) and mener (to lead). The term entered English in the 15th century in legal and social contexts to describe the outward conduct observed in a person, especially in court. The spelling variant demeanor reflects later normalization toward the modern form, while the British spelling demeanour preserves the original -our ending from French influence. Over time, the meaning narrowed to refer specifically to outward behavior rather than inner intentions, and by the 19th and 20th centuries it became a standard noun in both formal and conversational usage. The word thus embodies a historical shift from general conduct to a precise label for observable demeanor in social interactions. Today it remains a staple in psychology, law, and everyday critique of presentations and attitudes.
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Words that rhyme with "Demeanor"
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Demeanor is pronounced de-ME- a-nor with primary stress on the second syllable: /dɪˈmiːnər/ (US) or /dɪˈmiːnə/ (UK). Start with a short /d/ followed by a light /ɪ/ vowel, then strong /ˈmiː/ for the stressed syllable, then a weak /nər/ or /nə/ ending. Think “dee-MEE-nər” with the middle vowel held longer. Audio references: you can listen on Pronounce or Forvo by searching Demeanor to hear native pronunciations.
Common errors: 1) Misplacing stress, saying de-ME- e.g., /ˌdɪˈmiːnə/ with the stress on the first syllable. 2) Reducing the second syllable too much, giving /ˈdɪmiːn/ or /ˈdɪmiːnər/ without the schwa. 3) Vowel quality: pronouncing /i/ as a short /ɪ/ or mispronouncing the final /ər/ as /ər/ or /ɜːr/. Corrections: stress the second syllable, lengthen the /iː/ in /miː/, and end with a clear schwa before an -r in US English. Listen to native speakers and mimic the syllable’s rhythm.
In US English, /dɪˈmiːnər/ with rhotic /r/ in the final syllable and a pronounced second syllable. UK English often uses /dɪˈmiːnə/ with a non-rhotic ending, making the final /ə/ less pronounced. Australian English generally mirrors US rhotics but with slightly flatter vowels; you might hear /dɪˈmiːnə/ with a more centralized final vowel. Across all, the second syllable bears primary stress, but rhoticity affects the presence of /r/ in the last syllable.
The word challenges learners with its strong stress on the second syllable and the cluster /mɪn/ leading into /nə/; the final syllable often reduces to a schwa, which can blur to /ər/ or /ə/ depending on the accent. The /ˈmiː/ vowel also requires a prolonged, tense middle vowel that contrasts with the shorter initial /dɪ/; maintaining syllable clarity at speed is key. Practice with minimal pairs focusing on /ˈmiːn/ vs. /ˈmiːnə/ and final rhotic vs. non-rhotic endings.
A unique aspect is the steady vowel: /iː/ in the stressed syllable and a subtle, almost silent final 'r' in non-rhotic accents. In American speech, the /r/ is pronounced, while in British English it often becomes a schwa or dropped. Ensure your /miː/ is crisp and long, and that the following /nər/ (US) or /nə/ (UK) is compact and quick, not a separate emphasized vowel. Listening for the rhythm helps—stress-tap between /dɪ/ and /ˈmiː/.
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