Dictionary.com
definitions

decorous

[ dek-er-uhs, dih-kawr-uhs, -kohr- ]
/ ˈdɛk ər əs, dɪˈkɔr əs, -ˈkoʊr- /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR decorous ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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

RELATED CONTENT

decorousFind new words to share every day with Dictionary.com's Word of the Day. Discover the definition, pronunciation, and origin of uncommon words plus more!
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

staid, civilized, polite, sedate, becoming, befitting, ceremonial, ceremonious, comely, conforming, conventional, correct, decent, demure, dignified, done, elegant, fit, fitting, formal

Nearby words

  1. decoration day,
  2. decorative,
  3. decorative art,
  4. decorative arts,
  5. decorator,
  6. decorously,
  7. decorticate,
  8. decortication,
  9. decorum,
  10. decoupage

Origin of decorous

1655–65; < Latin decōrus seemly, becoming, derivative of decus; see decorate, -ous
ANTONYMS FOR decorous
undignified.
SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR decorous ON THESAURUS.COM
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for decorous

British Dictionary definitions for decorous

decorous

/ (ˈdɛkərəs) /

adjective

characterized by propriety in manners, conduct, etc
Derived Formsdecorously, adverbdecorousness, noun

Word Origin for decorous

C17: from Latin decōrus, from decor elegance
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for decorous

decorous

adj.

1660s, from Latin decorus "becoming, seemly, fitting, proper," from decus (genitive decoris) "ornament" (see decorate). Related: Decorously; decorousness.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper