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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Related Words

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

Example Sentences

Before you envision Emily Post clutching her pearls at the thought of sneaking out without a proper goodbye, know that etiquette isn’t about rigidity—it’s all about context.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

"Respect for urban etiquette and the environment is everyone's duty," it added.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

That was held up as a great breach of etiquette, instigating calls for additional officials and even video reviews in a sport where competitors have traditionally called their own fouls.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

This may sound bossy, but in the absence of clear communication, we tend to overanalyze, says Sara Jane Ho, an etiquette expert and host of the Netflix show “Mind Your Manners.”

From MarketWatch • Jan. 29, 2026

Even in Spanish, he wouldn’t know the words for newspaper interview or modem etiquette or public speaking.

From "The Queen of Water" by Laura Resau