adj

manifest

MAN-ih-fehst

adj

Clear and obvious to see or understand.

"Her frustration was manifest in every word she said."

verb

To show something clearly, or for something to become visible or apparent.

"His anxiety began to manifest as trouble sleeping."

"The symptoms didn't manifest until weeks after the injury."

To will something into existence through belief or positive thinking (a popular, informal use).

"She keeps a journal where she writes down what she wants to manifest this year."

noun

A list of the cargo or passengers carried by a ship, plane, or truck.

"Customs checked the manifest against the containers on the dock."

How to Use Manifest

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething plainly visible or obvious — or, as a verb, to make something visible, appear, or (in newer slang) to will it into reality through intention.

Common mistake

The self-help sense ("manifest your dreams") is a newer, informal use distinct from the older, more formal "manifest evidence of wrongdoing."

Common pairings

manifest itself a manifest failure manifest symptoms

Word Forms

more manifest comparative, manifested past tense, manifests plural, manifest plural, manifested plural, manifests singular, manifest singular, manifested singular, manifestest singular, manifestedst singular, manifesteth singular, most manifest superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

Her frustration was _____ in every word she said.

Etymology

From Latin manifestus, "obvious, palpable," built from manus ("hand") plus an uncertain second element. A doublet of manifesto.