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

See Examples For:

de rigueur

Standing ovations are almost de rigueur in formal Washington, but I don’t think I ever heard one of such prolonged intensity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

Before psychotherapy was de rigueur, the 1970s hit “The Bob Newhart Show” was the first comedy series whose lead character was a shrink.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2025

Taking photos of people in public and posting them online has become de rigueur behavior.

From Salon ● Jul. 1, 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