decorous

adjective

dec·o·rous ˈde-kər-əs How to pronounce decorous (audio)

also di-ˈkȯr-əs

: marked by propriety and good taste : correct

decorous conduct

Ever decorous, she periodically excuses herself to another room rather than allow a guest to witness her blowing her nose.

Will Hermes

decorously adverb

decorousness noun

Did you know?

Decorous Got Its Start With Etiquette

The current meaning of decorous dates from the mid-17th century. One of the word's earliest recorded uses appears in a book titled The Rules of Civility (1673): "It is not decorous to look in the Glass, to comb, brush, or do any thing of that nature to ourselves, whilst the said person be in the Room." Decorous for a time had another meaning as well—"fitting or appropriate"—but that now-obsolete sense seems to have existed for only a few decades in the 17th century. Decorous derives from the Latin word decorus, an adjective created from the noun decor, meaning "beauty" or "grace." Decor is akin to the Latin verb decēre ("to be fitting"), which is the source of our adjective decent. It is only fitting, then, that decent can be a synonym of decorous.

Example Sentences

we were asked to be on our most decorous behavior at the formal event the oppressively decorous standards of a royal court

Recent Examples on the Web Some found his methods offensive, or at least insufficiently decorous.

New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 The vote, shown on national television, was a decorous, solemn affair.

Krishan Francis, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 July 2022 The vote, shown on national television, was a decorous, solemn affair.

Krishan Francis, ajc, 20 July 2022 Enacted under James I and invoking his authority, the code makes the point in less decorous terms that no rights protected anyone to whom the laws applied.

Marilynne Robinson, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022 Many high-profile litigants wear notably decorous hairstyles and accessories to court.

Rory Satran, WSJ, 23 May 2022 Over the millennia, the flute has come to be seen as delicate, decorous, ethereal.

Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2021 The disclosure of a draft opinion that would overrule Roe v. Wade, along with related reports of the court’s internal workings, has transformed a decorous and guarded institution into one riven by politics.

New York Times, 11 May 2022 The costume, the jewelry, the decorous pose are all conveyed with superb dexterity, dazzling finesse.

Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2022 See More

单词	decorousness
释义	decorous adjective dec·o·rous ˈde-kər-əs also di-ˈkȯr-əs : marked by propriety and good taste : correct decorous conduct Ever decorous, she periodically excuses herself to another room rather than allow a guest to witness her blowing her nose. Will Hermes decorously adverb decorousness noun Did you know? Decorous Got Its Start With Etiquette The current meaning of decorous dates from the mid-17th century. One of the word's earliest recorded uses appears in a book titled The Rules of Civility (1673): "It is not decorous to look in the Glass, to comb, brush, or do any thing of that nature to ourselves, whilst the said person be in the Room." Decorous for a time had another meaning as well—"fitting or appropriate"—but that now-obsolete sense seems to have existed for only a few decades in the 17th century. Decorous derives from the Latin word decorus, an adjective created from the noun decor, meaning "beauty" or "grace." Decor is akin to the Latin verb decēre ("to be fitting"), which is the source of our adjective decent. It is only fitting, then, that decent can be a synonym of decorous. Synonyms befitting correct de rigueur decent genteel nice polite proper respectable seemly See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences we were asked to be on our most decorous behavior at the formal event the oppressively decorous standards of a royal court Recent Examples on the Web Some found his methods offensive, or at least insufficiently decorous. New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 The vote, shown on national television, was a decorous, solemn affair. Krishan Francis, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 July 2022 The vote, shown on national television, was a decorous, solemn affair. Krishan Francis, ajc, 20 July 2022 Enacted under James I and invoking his authority, the code makes the point in less decorous terms that no rights protected anyone to whom the laws applied. Marilynne Robinson, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022 Many high-profile litigants wear notably decorous hairstyles and accessories to court. Rory Satran, WSJ, 23 May 2022 Over the millennia, the flute has come to be seen as delicate, decorous, ethereal. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2021 The disclosure of a draft opinion that would overrule Roe v. Wade, along with related reports of the court’s internal workings, has transformed a decorous and guarded institution into one riven by politics. New York Times, 11 May 2022 The costume, the jewelry, the decorous pose are all conveyed with superb dexterity, dazzling finesse. Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Latin decorus, from decor beauty, grace; akin to Latin decēre to be fitting — more at decent First Known Use 1653, in the meaning defined above decorousness noun as in fitness Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance fitness etiquette decorum irreproachableness irreproachability appropriateness seemliness correctness propriety ethics morals scrupulousness honor scrupulosity incorruptibility morality right-mindedness high-mindedness virtue righteousness goodness integrity virtuousness rightness decency uprightness probity character honesty rectitude Antonyms & Near Antonyms evil immorality sin wickedness badness villainy degradation iniquity indecorum perversion impropriety indiscretion evildoing indecency sinfulness degeneracy pervertedness depravity debauchery dishonesty unscrupulousness crookedness corruption vileness viciousness meanness lowness underhandedness See More
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decorous

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

noun