decorous

[ dek-er-uhs, dih-kawr-uhs, -kohr- ]

adjective

1. characterized by dignified propriety in conduct, manners, appearance, character, etc.

   Synonyms: becoming, proper

   Antonyms: undignified

decorous

/ ˈdɛkərəs /

adjective

1. characterized by propriety in manners, conduct, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈdecorousness, noun
• ˈdecorously, adverb

Other Words From

• dec·o·rous·ly adverb
• dec·o·rous·ness noun
• non·dec·o·rous adjective
• non·dec·o·rous·ly adverb
• non·deco·rous·ness noun
• un·dec·o·rous adjective
• un·dec·o·rous·ly adverb
• un·dec·o·rous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decorous¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from Latin decōrus “seemly, becoming,” derivative of decus (stem decor- ) “an ornament, splendor, honor,” akin to decēre “to be acceptable, be fitting” and docēre “to teach” (i.e., “to make fitting”) + adjective suffix -ōsus; decent, docent, -ous ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of decorous¹

C17: from Latin decōrus, from decor elegance

Example Sentences

Not for Rodriguez the decorous, red-carpet likes of Gwynnie, Sandra Bullock, or Tom Cruise, but “hot criminal” Jeremy Meeks.

From The Daily Beast

In more decorous terms, Manchin and Huntsman came to much the same conclusion.

From The Daily Beast

A decorous group of nine panelists presented their positions one at a time, following distinctly un-Israeli rules of etiquette.

From The Daily Beast

I never knew him to take his time, squander words to be merely decorous.

From The Daily Beast

As president, Obama must be more decorous, of course, than merely mocking the man.

From The Daily Beast

He remembered how decorous and dignified was the Mogul court when Britain paid honor to an ancient dynasty.

From Project Gutenberg

His visions of a merry riot were all fled, and he was listening with the eagerness of a decorous Sunday-school child.

From Project Gutenberg

Half of the people had taken their seats when he began; there was a hasty scramble, and a decorous, half-checked smile.

From Project Gutenberg

The past has come down to us cloaked and shrouded, and attended by its decorous retinue of mutes and bearers.

From Project Gutenberg

Let us turn into the British Museum and see sensible, decorous Boxing-day there.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• civilized
• polite
• sedate
• staid