Showing results for "behaviour"

• a variation of behavior.

behaviour

American  

[bih-hayv-yer] / bɪˈheɪv jər /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. behavior.

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behaviour British  

/ bɪˈheɪvjə /

noun

1. manner of behaving or conducting oneself

2. behaving with careful good manners

3. psychol

   1. the aggregate of all the responses made by an organism in any situation

   2. a specific response of a certain organism to a specific stimulus or group of stimuli

4. the action, reaction, or functioning of a system, under normal or specified circumstances

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Spelling

See -or ¹.

Other Word Forms

• behavioural
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of behaviour

C15: from _behave ; influenced in form by Middle English havior , from Old French havoir , from Latin habēre to have

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Explanation

Your behaviour is the way you act in various situations. Note that this word ends with "our," which is the British spelling, while the American English spelling is behavior. This discrepancy is common, and either spelling is correct. The Late Middle English word behavoure meant "to have possession," which seemingly refers to a person in control of his or her actions. If you are accused of childish behaviour, you might be acting as though you have little self-control. Scottish musician Shirley Manson once said: "A lot of celebrities just want money, fame, power, fancy cars, houses all over the world and have people bow down to them. To me, that's frightful behaviour."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

behaviour

"If they want to repair their image and the relationship, their future actions and behaviour will be key."

From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026

Russell Brand has said a documentary that made allegations about his behaviour had a "devastating" effect on him, and made friends and colleagues turn against him.

From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026

"These medicines are prescribed following clinical assessment and form part of a wider dietetic-led programme supporting long-term behaviour change and healthier lifestyles. Patients are reporting and we are seeing significant clinical benefit."

From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026

It comes as new data from the Housing Ombudsman showed a rise over five years in the number of complaints upheld about social landlords' handling of anti-social behaviour.

From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026

There is no one worthy of eating him from the manner of his behaviour and his great dignity.

From "The Old Man and The Sea" by Ernest Hemingway

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