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decorous

[ dek-er-uhs, dih-kawr-uhs, -kohr- ]
/ ˈdɛk ər əs, dɪˈkɔr əs, -ˈkoʊr- /
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See synonyms for decorous on Thesaurus.com
adjective
characterized by dignified propriety in conduct, manners, appearance, character, etc.
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Origin of decorous

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; see decent, docent,-ous

OTHER WORDS FROM decorous

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to decorous

civilized, polite, sedate, staid, au fait, becoming, befitting, ceremonial, ceremonious, comely, comme il faut, conforming, conventional, correct, decent, demure, de rigueur, dignified, done, elegant

How to use decorous in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for decorous

decorous
/ (ˈdɛkərəs) /
adjective
characterized by propriety in manners, conduct, etc

Derived forms of decorous

decorously, 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
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