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Struggling with flat characters? Discover what mannerisms are and explore 200+ examples of mannerisms to bring your characters to life. Your ultimate writer's guide.
Think about the last character who truly stuck with you. Was it the way they constantly adjusted their tie before a lie? The nervous twitch of their eye under pressure? Or maybe the confident, deliberate way they steepled their fingers while plotting? Those tiny, repeated actions are mannerisms, and they are the secret sauce that transforms a character from a name on a page into a living, breathing person. They are the nonverbal tics, gestures, and habits that reveal everything your character is trying to hide. Let’s be honest, writing compelling characters is one of the hardest parts of the craft. But trust me when I say this: mastering the art of the mannerism is a game-changer. This guide will not only define what they are but also provide a massive list of examples of mannerisms you can steal, adapt, and use to make your characters leap off the page.
What Are Mannerisms, Anyway? (And Why They're a Writer's Secret Weapon)
At its core, a mannerism is a distinctive, habitual gesture, speech pattern, or way of behaving. It’s a character’s signature move. It’s not the one-off action of wiping a tear; it’s the habitual way they bite their knuckle when trying not to cry. See the difference? It's the repetition that makes it a mannerism. According to research in body language and nonverbal cues, these small actions can communicate more than dialogue ever could. They are the ultimate tool for the 'show, don't tell' mantra that gets drilled into every writer.
Here’s the thing: mannerisms are different from broader character traits. A character trait is who they are (brave, cowardly, generous). A mannerism is what they do (puffing out their chest when scared, clutching their purse tightly, always leaving a huge tip). They are the physical manifestation of a character’s internal world—their history, their anxieties, their secrets, and their desires.
Why are they so, so, so important?
- They Reveal Personality: A character who constantly smooths their hair might be vain or insecure. One who gestures broadly while speaking could be passionate or arrogant. These actions paint a picture without a single word of exposition.
- They Show Emotion: Instead of writing, "He was nervous," you can write, "He repeatedly tapped his pen against the table, the rhythmic clicking filling the silence." As noted in studies on behavioral psychology from UCLA's Department of Psychology, these actions often bypass conscious thought, making them an honest reflection of a character's state of mind.
- They Ground the Character: Mannerisms make a character feel real and tangible. They give the reader something to latch onto, a visual hook that makes the character memorable long after the book is closed. Think of it as a unique fingerprint for your character's personality, a concept often explored in guides on advanced character development.
So, let's stop talking theory and get to the good stuff. You came here for examples of mannerisms, and I'm here to deliver.
The Ultimate List: 200+ Examples of Mannerisms for Your Characters
Okay, prepare to bookmark this page. This is your new go-to resource when a character feels a little… flat. I’ve broken these down into categories to make them easier to browse. Mix and match, or use them as a jumping-off point for your own unique ideas.
Head, Face, and Eye Mannerisms
- Constantly pushing their hair back
- Biting their lower lip when concentrating
- Chewing on their inner cheek
- A slow, deliberate blink when unimpressed
- Furrowing their brow
- Raising one eyebrow skeptically
- Tilting their head when listening
- Grinding their teeth or jaw
- Wetting their lips before speaking
- Flaring their nostrils when angry
- Squinting when thinking hard
- Avoiding eye contact
- Maintaining uncomfortably intense eye contact
- Rubbing the bridge of their nose
- Scratching their scalp
- Tugging on an earlobe
- Puffing out their cheeks
- A nervous tic in their eyelid
- Smirking or sneering
- Touching their face frequently (chin, cheek, forehead)
- Winking conspiratorially
- Constantly looking over their shoulder
- Rolling their eyes
- Sticking their tongue out slightly in concentration
- Smiling with only one side of their mouth
Hand and Arm Gestures
- Cracking their knuckles
- Wringing their hands
- Tapping their fingers on a surface
- Steepling their fingers when thinking
- Talking with their hands (gesticulating wildly)
- Keeping hands stuffed in pockets
- Picking at their fingernails or cuticles
- Drumming their fingers
- Crossing their arms defensively
- Rubbing the back of their neck
- Fiddling with their sleeves or cuffs
- Clenching and unclenching their fists
- Pointing with their chin or thumb instead of a finger
- Running a hand through their hair
- Constantly checking their watch (even if they don't have one)
- Polishing their nails on their shirt
- Holding their own hand
- Twisting a ring on their finger
- Making air quotes
- Touching others frequently (on the arm, shoulder)
- Flexing their biceps
- Covering their mouth when they laugh or smile
- Snapping their fingers to make a point
- Clapping their hands together when excited
- Tracing patterns on surfaces with their finger
Body and Posture Quirks
- Pacing back and forth
- Slouching or hunching over
- Standing with perfect, rigid posture
- Leaning against walls or furniture
- Shifting their weight from foot to foot
- Tapping their foot impatiently
- Jiggling their leg when seated
- Hooking their feet around the legs of a chair
- Rocking back and forth (on heels or in a chair)
- Walking with a distinctive gait (a limp, a swagger, a bounce)
- Always sitting in the same spot
- Sprawling out to take up space
- Making themselves small, trying to be unnoticed
- Constantly stretching
- Crossing their legs at the ankle
- Sticking their chest out
- Shrugging frequently
- Bouncing on the balls of their feet
- Taking long, deliberate strides
- Shuffling their feet when walking
- Always facing the door in a room
- Swaying slightly when standing still
- Bowing their head often
- Leaning in close when talking
- Maintaining a large personal space bubble
Vocal and Speech Patterns
- Clearing their throat before speaking
- Using a specific filler word excessively (“like,” “um,” “you know”)
- Speaking in a whisper or a mumble
- Speaking very loudly
- Ending sentences with a question-like inflection
- Repeating the last few words someone else said
- Laughing at inappropriate times (a nervous laugh)
- Humming or whistling to themselves
- A dry, hacking cough
- A distinctive laugh (a snort, a cackle, a giggle)
- Speaking in short, clipped sentences
- Using overly formal or academic language
- Using slang incorrectly or out of context
- Stuttering or stammering when nervous
- Sighing dramatically and often
- Clicking their tongue
- Answering questions with another question
- Talking to themselves under their breath
- Having a catchphrase they always use
- Changing the subject abruptly
- Pausing for a long time before answering
- Lowering their voice to a conspiratorial tone
- Tsking in disapproval
- Speaking in a monotone voice
- Smacking their lips
Mannerisms with Objects (Props)
- Constantly fiddling with a pen (clicking, chewing, spinning)
- Adjusting their glasses by pushing them up their nose
- Polishing their glasses with a cloth
- Playing with a coin or worry stone
- Shuffling a deck of cards
- Tearing paper or napkins into tiny pieces
- Stirring their drink long after it's mixed
- Chewing on a toothpick or unlit match
- Flipping a phone over and over in their hand
- Twirling a lock of hair around a finger
- Straightening objects on a desk or table (OCD tendency)
- Always carrying a specific book
- Doodling on any available surface
- Tapping their phone screen compulsively
- Fiddling with a necklace, bracelet, or watch
- Peeling the label off a bottle
- Lighting and extinguishing a lighter
- Jingling keys or change in their pocket
- Wearing a hat or hood indoors
- Biting the end of their pen or pencil
- Using a handkerchief instead of a tissue
- Always having a crumpled tissue in hand
- Tying and untying the drawstrings of a hoodie
- Chewing gum loudly
- Taking things apart and putting them back together
Nervous vs. Confident Mannerisms
Author Note: Many mannerisms can be either nervous or confident depending on the context. But here are some that lean heavily one way or the other.
Nervous / Anxious Examples of Mannerisms
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Sweating profusely
- Avoiding eye contact at all costs
- Biting fingernails down to the quick
- Smoothing down clothing repeatedly
- Stuttering or speaking too quickly
- Hiding behind their hair
- Wrapping their arms around themselves in a self-hug
- Checking their phone constantly for no reason
- Apologizing for things that aren't their fault
- Laughing nervously
- Voice cracking or becoming high-pitched
- Flinching at loud noises or sudden movements
- Rubbing their arms as if cold
- Looking at the floor while walking
Confident / Dominant Examples of Mannerisms
- Making direct, unwavering eye contact
- A firm, decisive handshake
- Speaking in a clear, steady voice
- Using hand gestures to emphasize points
- Standing with feet wide apart, hands on hips
- Leaning back in a chair with hands behind their head
- Smiling slowly and deliberately
- Touching their chin thoughtfully
- A slight, knowing nod
- Walking into a room as if they own it
- Interrupting others (can also be rude, context is key)
- Resting an ankle on the opposite knee when seated
- Using someone's name frequently in conversation
- A low, rumbling chuckle
- Patting someone on the back a little too hard
How to Choose and Use Mannerisms Effectively (Without Overdoing It)
Okay, you have the list. It's massive. Now what? Just randomly assigning “cracks knuckles” to your hero and “tugs earlobe” to your villain isn’t going to cut it. The use of mannerisms needs to be intentional. Here’s how to do it right.
1. Connect It to Backstory and Personality
This is the big one. A mannerism is most powerful when it’s born from the character’s past or their core personality. A character who grew up in poverty might compulsively check their wallet. A former soldier might have a rigid, unblinking stare. A liar might have a 'tell,' like touching their nose. This connection adds a layer of psychological depth that makes the character feel authentic. As MasterClass articles on writing often emphasize, every detail should serve the character's story.
2. Use Them to Show, Not Tell, Emotion
Instead of stating your character is anxious, show them picking at their cuticles until they bleed. Instead of saying she's defiant, show her lifting her chin and meeting the antagonist's gaze without flinching. This is a foundational principle of storytelling, supported by countless writing craft resources. Let the mannerism do the emotional heavy lifting. You can even show a character trying to suppress a mannerism, which reveals an internal conflict—like a character clenching their fists under a table to stop them from shaking.
3. Don't Overdo It (The Hard Truth)
Here's the hard truth: if you mention your character's signature eye-twitch in every paragraph, your readers are going to get annoyed. Seriously. They will bring pitchforks. A mannerism should be a sprinkle of spice, not the main ingredient. Introduce it, establish it as a habit, and then bring it back at key moments—when the character is under stress, making a difficult decision, or revealing something important. As screenwriting experts often advise, subtlety is key. One or two well-defined mannerisms are far more effective than ten that are barely mentioned.
4. Let the Mannerism Evolve
Characters change, and so should their mannerisms. A nervous character who constantly wrings their hands at the beginning of the story might, by the end, have learned to keep them steady and still. This physical change provides a powerful, tangible symbol of their internal growth. Conversely, a confident character might develop a nervous tic as their world falls apart. This evolution ties the physical to the emotional arc, making the character's journey more satisfying for the reader.