Decorum is behaviour that people consider to be correct, polite, and respectable.
[formal]
I was treated with decorum and respect throughout the investigation.
Synonyms: propriety, decency, etiquette, breeding More Synonyms of decorum
decorum in British English
(dɪˈkɔːrəm)
noun
1.
propriety, esp in behaviour or conduct
2.
a requirement of correct behaviour in polite society
Word origin
C16: from Latin: propriety
decorum in American English
(dɪˈkɔrəm)
noun
1.
propriety and good taste in behavior, dress, etc.
2.
an act or requirement of polite behavior
often used in pl.
SYNONYMY NOTE: decorum implies stiffness or formality in rules of conduct or behavior established as suitableto the circumstances [levity not in keeping with decorum]; decency implies observance of the requirements of modesty, good taste, etc. [have the decency to thank her]; propriety suggests conformity with conventional standards of proper or correct behavior, manners,etc. [his offensive language oversteps the bounds of propriety]; dignity, in this connection, implies conduct in keeping with one's position or one's self-respect;, etiquette refers to the forms established by convention or prescribed social arbiters for behaviorin polite society
Word origin
L, neut. of decorus, fit, proper < decor: see décor
Examples of 'decorum' in a sentence
decorum
They need to have decorum and dignity.
The Sun (2012)
Not to mention decorum and dignity.
The Sun (2012)
He carries his character's vicious decorum with grace.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
I abandoned decorum and danced like a loon.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This rare act of violence in a sport that sets such high store by decorum and good grace would have been shocking enough on its own.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
She thought, Where is the decorum and dignity befitting a king?
Christianity Today (2000)
In a place where manners and decorum are at the absolute bottom of the priority heap, all that is really required of you is to avert disaster.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
(noun)
Definition
polite and socially correct behaviour
I was treated with decorum and respect
Synonyms
propriety
Their sense of social propriety is eroded.
decency
His sense of decency forced him to resign.
etiquette
a breach of the rules of diplomatic etiquette
breeding
She lost her temper completely and the veneer of good breeding dropped from her.
protocol
He is a stickler for royal protocol.
respectability
politeness
good manners
good grace
gentility
The old woman had an air of gentility about her.
deportment
courtliness
politesse
punctilio
seemliness
Opposites
impropriety
,
rudeness
, bad manners,
churlishness
,
unseemliness
,
impoliteness
,
indecorum
Additional synonyms
in the sense of breeding
Definition
the result of good upbringing or training
She lost her temper completely and the veneer of good breeding dropped from her.
Synonyms
refinement,
style,
culture,
taste,
manners,
polish,
grace,
courtesy,
elegance,
sophistication,
delicacy,
cultivation,
politeness,
civility,
gentility,
graciousness,
urbanity,
politesse
in the sense of courtliness
Synonyms
ceremony,
breeding,
courtesy,
elegance,
formality,
correctness,
refinement,
propriety,
politeness,
decorum,
gallantry,
gentility,
graciousness,
affability,
urbanity,
politesse,
stateliness,
chivalrousness
in the sense of decency
Definition
conformity to the prevailing standards of what is right