de rigueur

American  

[duh ri-gur, duh ree-gœr] / də rɪˈgɜr, də riˈgœr /

adjective

1. strictly required, as by etiquette, usage, or fashion.

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de rigueur British  

/ də riɡœr, də rɪˈɡɜː /

adjective

1. required by etiquette or fashion

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de rigueur Cultural  

1. A French term meaning necessary according to convention: “Formal dress is de rigueur at weddings.”

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Etymology

Origin of de rigueur

First recorded in 1825–35; from French: “of rigor”; see de ( def. ), rigor ( def. )

Example Sentences

All are de rigueur in today’s business class on U.S. airlines, of course.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

At the end of “Missa Solemnis,” the reaction was a respectful standing ovation, unlike the de rigueur rapturous reception he always earns with Beethoven.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

Supporting Mamdani became stylish – almost de rigueur – among certain segments of affluent New York.

From Salon • Jun. 28, 2025

Jackson recently published Lovely One, her entry into the canon of de rigueur Supreme Court memoirs.

From Slate • Oct. 4, 2024

Though self-aggrandizement was de rigueur among the generalissimos of the time, he remained ever cautious.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro

Related Words

• mandatory
• necessary
• obligatory
• required