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Who wrote the best-selling book Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home?

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etiquette

American  

[et-i-kit, -ket] / ˈɛt ɪ kɪt, -ˌkɛt /

noun

1. 

   conventional requirements as to social behavior; proprieties of conduct as established in any class or community or for any occasion.

2. a prescribed or accepted code of usage in matters of ceremony, as at a court or in official or other formal observances.

3. the code of ethical behavior regarding professional practice or action among the members of a profession in their dealings with each other.

   medical etiquette.

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etiquette British  

/ ˈɛtɪˌkɛt, ˌɛtɪˈkɛt /

noun

1. the customs or rules governing behaviour regarded as correct or acceptable in social or official life

2. a conventional but unwritten code of practice followed by members of any of certain professions or groups

   medical etiquette

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Synonym Usage

Etiquette, decorum, propriety imply observance of the formal requirements governing behavior in polite society. Etiquette refers to conventional forms and usages: the rules of etiquette. Decorum suggests dignity and a sense of what is becoming or appropriate for a person of good breeding: a fine sense of decorum. Propriety (usually plural) implies established conventions of morals and good taste: She never fails to observe the proprieties.

Etymology

Origin of etiquette

First recorded in 1730–40; from French étiquette, Middle French estiquette “ticket, label, memorandum,” derivative of estiqu(i)er “to attach, stick” from Germanic. See stick ², -ette

Explanation

Etiquette is a code of polite conduct. If you practice proper etiquette, you are less likely to offend or annoy people — and you may even charm them. Many people think etiquette is about table manners in fancy restaurants, but quite simply, it is expected behavior that shows respect, meant to make everyone feel comfortable. For example, an etiquette book will tell you to bring a little gift when you are a dinner guest in someone's home, especially if it is your first visit — you know what is expected of you, and your gift shows respect and gratitude.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

etiquette

That, frankly, bothers me more than almost anything else raised in these etiquette debates.

From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026

A gift of any kind should reflect your relationship with the newlyweds, and what you can afford, said Grotts, the etiquette consultant.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

Big cheers to Chelsea Handler for taking up a travel etiquette cause we can probably all agree on: bare feet on planes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

When it comes to etiquette in tennis, there are a fair few unwritten rules.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

There was an etiquette about such messes, in those days: there was a line you crossed, from ignoring them to cleaning them up.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood