indecorous
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of indecorous
From the Latin word indecōrus, dating back to 1670–80. See in- 3, decorous
Explanation
Indecorous behavior isn't proper or socially acceptable. It would be indecorous to publish your sister's diary in the newspaper or to tell your extended family an offensive joke at Thanksgiving dinner. Rude or off-color remarks are indecorous, and wearing a bikini to a formal dinner would also be indecorous. Indecorous things lack decorum, which is good manners or proper behavior. Indecorous, from the Latin decorus, "becoming or seemly," comes from the root word decus, "ornament," and is related to words like "decorate" and "decent."
Vocabulary lists containing indecorous
The Importance of Being Earnest
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30 GRE Words Beginning with "I"
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"The Minister's Black Veil" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And never do it in front of people outside the friend group, which is as indecorous and disloyal as family members airing their dirty laundry in public.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026
It seemed scandalous — and highly indecorous — back in 1992, when President George H.W.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 30, 2025
Eddie Redmayne had never seen “Cabaret” when, as a 15-year-old student at Eton, he was first cast as the Emcee, the indecorous impresario of the bawdy Berlin nightclub where the musical is set.
From New York Times ● May 15, 2024
The reprimand noted Quinn deactivated his Facebook account when he learned of the board’s investigation and admitted his actions were “imprudent, indecorous and contrary to the spirit of the Canons.”
From Washington Times ● Oct. 18, 2023
“Have I fallen asleep? How indecorous of me.”
From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
