decorum

[dih-kawr-uhm, -kohr-]

noun

1. dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.

   Synonyms: dignity, politeness

2. the quality or state of being decorous, or exhibiting such dignified propriety; orderliness; regularity.

3. Usually decorums an observance or requirement of polite society.

decorum

/ dɪˈkɔːrəm /

noun

1. propriety, esp in behaviour or conduct

2. a requirement of correct behaviour in polite society

Word History and Origins

Origin of decorum¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin decōrum, noun use of neuter of decōrus decorous

Word History and Origins

Origin of decorum¹

C16: from Latin: propriety

Synonym Study

See etiquette.

Example Sentences

He stipulated that his office will “only work with House and Senate Democratic appropriators ‘if they conduct themselves with decorum.'”

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“Shows like ‘The Bachelor’ try to maintain a level of decorum and something like ‘Love Island’ throws that into their ocean and their pool and their foam parties with both hands.”

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They’ve spent years watching the people who claim to represent them repeatedly prioritize civility and decorum over actually trying to stop all the horrors we all clearly see.

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But there’s no getting around the fact that his past behavior and openness to violence have lowered the bar for decorum in American politics.

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The general sense of decorum was apparent when the leaders were discussing the housing crisis.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• civility 
• correctness 
• decency 
• demeanor 
• dignity 
• gentility 
• orderliness www.thesaurus.com
• politeness www.thesaurus.com
• propriety 
• respectability