How To Properly Use The Word “Manifest” In A Sentence

Manifest is a word that can be used as both an adjective and as a verb. This can cause great confusion on how the word is to be used.

How To Use The Word “Manifest” In A Sentence

Many people are confused about how to use manifest in a sentence, but it’s really quite simple.

The word manifest is both an adjective and a verb. As an adjective it’s used to name an attribute of a noun (a person, place, or thing). As a verb it must be used with an object. This means that it’s an action word that refers to another word. 

For instance, He manifested his disdain with a scowl. Herein disdain was manifested – disdain being the object and manifested being the verb.

Definitions Of The Word “Manifest”

Manifest is a little word that packs a big punch. It has 24 different definitions based upon the way that it is used in a sentence.

First of all, manifest can be used as an adjective. This means that it describes a noun (a person, place, or thing). As an adjective the word manifest means:

• Something that’s apparent to the senses, especially to the sense of sight or to the mind itself
• Obvious
• Clear or plain to the understanding
• Understandable or comprehensible
• Plain – not obscure or hidden
• Easily distinguished
• Plainly recognized
• Detected

Secondly, manifest can be used as a verb. As an action word, the word manifest means:

• To appear to the senses
• To display
• Showing someone the facts about something
• To reveal
• To prove
• Be evidence of
• To exhibit
• To make to appear distinctly, usually to the mind
• To enter in or record in a ship’s manifest
• To exhibit the manifests or prepared invoices of
• To show or demonstrate plainly
• To declare at the customhouse
• To make something clear or evident
• To show itself
• To put beyond question or doubt

What a lot of people don’t realize is that manifest can also be used as a noun. When used as a noun it typically has to do with a ship, airplane, train, truck, or another mode of commercial transportation. Herein it is a type of list that indicates the passengers or cargo that is being transported and who the cargo belongs to, along with their location. Oftentimes this invoice is created because it needs to be shown to customs officials.

One other lesser-known meaning of the word manifest is a relatively new one that has to do with computer technology. Herein it is a type of file that contains metadata that is used in describing other files. The files that are manifested herein belong to a set or coherent unit (e.g. a computer program).

Etymology Of The Word “Manifest”

The origin of the word manifest and how it’s changed throughout history depends on whether you’re talking about the adjective, verb, or noun form of the word. Each of these forms has a different etymology that should be considered important here for the understanding of the word as it stands today.

Etymology Of The Word “Manifest” As An Adjective

As an adjective, the word manifest dates back to the fourteenth century. Here the word meant that something was clearly revealed to a person’s eye or understanding. It also meant that something was open to view or comprehension. It’s debatable where this word dates back even further to.

This word could have been derived from the Old French word manifest that dated back to the twelfth century and meant evident. It could have also been taken directly from the Latin word, manifestus. This meant clear, evident, apparent, plainly apprehensible when referring to offenses or having been proven by direct offenses when referring to an offender. In either case the word manus means hand while the word festus is said to be identical to infest’s second element.

According to the Dutch Linguist, Michiel de Vaan if we interpret manifestus to mean “caught by hand,” then the meaning of festus seems to point to grabbing or attacking. However, de Vaan finds none of the ulterior connections that have been proposed to be compelling. Therefore he concludes that the two words (infestus and manifestus) should be separated. Failure to do so would result in the word meaning caught by hand, in hand, or palpable.

After we look at the word in this way we may come to wonder about the term “manifest destiny.” This was a term that we find being used a lot in American politics starting around the time of the Mexican War. Herein it meant that something clearly appears as though it was destined to come to pass. It was also used in reference to events that could be foreseen with certainty – ones that were regarded as inevitable. The term was mainly used by people of the time who believed that the United States was destined to eventually occupy the whole continent. At this time the phrase was coined by the American columnist and editor, John O’Sullivan (1813 – 1895). While the notion is as old as the republic, we see him put it to paper in July of 1845 in The U.S. Magazine and Democratic Review.

Etymology Of The Word “Manifest” as a Verb

In the late fourteenth century we first see the word manifest being used as a verb meaning to spread one’s fame or to show plainly. This stemmed from the original use of the word manifest, which was as an adjective. Then in 1560 we see it in Latin as the word manifestare, which meant to discover, disclose, or betray (e.g. to display by action). It wasn’t until 1808 that we see the reflexive sense of the verb whereby it means to reveal as in operation.

Etymology Of The Word “Manifest” As A Noun

In the 1560s we also see the word manifest being used in the form of manifestation. However, this didn’t become quite popular until in 1610 when the word manifest was used to mean a public declaration. This came from the French word manifeste which was derived from the verbal noun, manifester. Then in 1706 we first heard of customs using the word manifest to mean “a certified list of a ship’s cargo.” Later this was then used in the same way by other modes of transportation (e.g. cargo planes, trains).

Understanding What Manifestation Is

There are lots of ways to describe what manifestation is. As such, here are three simple ways you can think of this word in hopes of having a better understanding of what it means.

The World Is A Reflection Of Us

The world reflects our beliefs, actions, and energy. As the thirteenth century, Persian poet said, “the world is like a mountain; your echo depends on you.” In other words, everything in the world, including us, has a unique vibrational frequency. You can think of yourself like a radio station and choose what you want to attract to you. By putting out the right frequency you’ll then attract that which you’d wanted and hoped for. Truly understanding what manifestation is will also give us a much better understanding of the word itself. It will help us delve deeper into the word so that we can use it properly throughout the speaking and writing we do.

We Use Our Mindset To Filter The World Around Us

Our mind is focused on seeking out goals. Therefore we filter the world around us based on our dominant beliefs.This means that if you believe that you can be successful or you have a vision of yourself as being successful then your mind will start conceiving amazing opportunities for you ro be successful and enjoy infinite abundance. As you start to focus on these things you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how your mind starts to bring you even more ideas and information to help you create the successful life you’ve always wanted.

We Act In Accordance With Our Identity

To easily and gracefully create the desires we want, we must think, feel, and act like we already have them. This means being bold in claiming that “I’m enough. I’m creative. I’m amazing.” Once we do so we’ll start to express more of this quality in the world we live in. This is because the world we want to co-create with our dreams and desires, starts within us. We must be self-aware. As such, we must start to discover and decide what we believe so that we can consciously choose the energy we give off. Once this happens the universe will start to flow in and through us so that we start to encounter more synchronicity and opportunity. We’ll also start receiving more intuitive nudges that’ll help us take the action we need to become co-creators when it comes to our desires.

None of this means that we have to be perfect or that everything around us is perfect. You’ll still feel a wide array of emotions because sometimes you can’t shift your feelings until you’ve actually experienced them. However, you can empower yourself by elevating your thinking but you must understand that this isn’t a form of wishful thinking that’s being discussed here. Instead, it’s more about making a conscious choice of who you’ll be today. Herein you’re making the conscious choice to recognize that your thoughts really do influence your feelings, which in turn influence your actions, which are what you use to be the co-creator of your own life.

By taking the time to learn about manifestation here you’re not only learning how to better use the word in your writing and your speaking, but you’re also learning the joy of being more connected to your higher self and your intuition. You’re also learning how to enjoy living life and let go of those things that are holding you back from doing so. This will help open you up to more miracles in your life.

Understanding What Is Meant By “The Power Of Manifestation”

Another phrase that we hear a lot in relation to the term manifest is “the power of manifestation.” It is important to look at what this term means so the next time we hear it we understand how it’s being used. What makes this so confusing is that the phrase is making mention of a variety of techniques that can be used to boost your “manifesting power” (the ability to attract those things you really want into your life). These techniques are meant to help you stay focused so you can deliver your intention to the universe and receive the abundance the universe has to offer. These techniques include:

• Visualization: Daydreaming is one type of visualization. This basically means visualizing everything you want (every detail and feeling). By immersing yourself in the experience you’ll start to express the emotions you’ll feel when you get what you want, thus attracting what you want your way.
• Affirmations: These are statements that you make in the present tense to confirm your manifestation (e.g. I believe in myself).
• Scripting is like visualization but you’re writing a story of what you want to have happen. You’re writing it as if this has already occurred. Make sure to get creative and let all your senses speak of how you feel when you get what you want. The reason this is said to work is that writing requires the use of different neurological pathways so you’re tricking your brain into believing that you already have what you want.
• Action: You can’t just think things into being, you must also work for it. Focus and action are required for you to get what you want.
• Gratitude: Unfortunately, many people don’t feel gratitude when they’re trying to manifest something in their lives. Without some level of gratitude your brain won’t ever be able to distinguish those times when you were able to achieve something. By taking some time to practice gratitude before you achieve what you want you’re telling the universe that you’ve already achieved it so that it will simply come your way.

Now you can see why sometimes manifest is used as a verb. Doing so is oftentimes just an easier way of saying these various things.

Understanding Manifestation Spiritually

The word manifestation is also sometimes used in a spiritual sense. Here the word is defined as the public display of feelings or emotions. It can also mean something theoretical that’s been made real. The reason this word can be used when speaking about spirituality is because when something spiritual (theoretical) is made real, then it’s said to be a manifestation.

Essentially, manifestation is the act of feeling like something belongs to you and then making it real. In other words, when you manifest something (e.g. a dream job, a new car) you’re telling the universe that it belongs to you and that it’ll be yours. Many people believe in the reality of manifestation as it allows them to live a more creative and intentional life. However, they’ll tell you that this will require a lot of work from you which is why a lot of people don’t practice it and those who start may end up skeptical about it.

Examples Of How To Use The Word “Manifest” In A Sentence

There are so many meanings of the word manifest, each of which is used differently in a sentence. Hopefully these definitions make sense to you, but having some examples should help you make even more sense of them. So, here are a few examples of how to use the word manifest in a sentence:

• The student continues to manifest their eagerness to learn.
• Christians believe the Son alone can manifest God fully.
• The Balinese manifest a general decline in culture.
• While his later writings deal with modern society’s vices, ideals, and perils, there are still many ways in which he is a manifest disciple of Calderon.
• She felt that God’s hand was becoming manifest in what was now occurring.
• The new spirit manifested itself in Spain.
• We may disagree on ways that it’s manifested itself.
• The love on her face was manifest and obvious to everyone at the wedding that day.
• The puzzled detective didn’t have the killer’s identity manifested unto him.
• The government is biased towards poor people. This is manifested to anyone who knows how much poor families pay in taxes every year.

Conclusion

Now you see that the word manifest is a little word with a big punch. There are a lot of different ways this word can be used – each with its own meaning. Hopefully you feel better equipped to use it in a sentence now and you’ll be using it more frequently in your writing and your speaking.