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decorum Definition

de·co·rum (di kôr′əm)

noun

  1. propriety and good taste in behavior, dress, etc.
  2. an act or requirement of polite behavior: often used in pl.

Etymology: L, neut. of decorus, fit, proper < decor: see décor

decorum Synonyms

decorum

n.

etiquette, propriety, dignity, seemliness, correctness, decency, decorousness, deportment, gentility, protocol, good form, good behavior, good taste, mannerliness, respectability; see also behavior 1.

decorum implies politeness, formality, or even stiffness in rules of conduct or behavior established as suitable to 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 implies conduct in keeping with one's position or one's self-respect; etiquette refers to the forms established by convention or social arbiters for behavior in polite society

decorum Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • countenance: Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling, By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore.

Converse of object

  • maintain: The Steward reads Prayers in the Family twice a Day, and maintains an exemplary Decorum in the House.
  • show: We trust he will show the proper decorum for the occasion.
  • keep: Majesty, to keep decorum, must No less beg than a kingdom.

Adjective modifier

  • social: Your sense of ethics and social decorum is also strong as you strive to be your best.
  • more: A princess of the realm should sure - um - Try to act with more decorum.
  • proper: We trust he will show the proper decorum for the occasion.
  • much: There's too much decorum in the world, too little fun.
  • little: Perhaps you could respond to Andy's points and restore a little decorum here.
  • stern: Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling, By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore.
decorum Quotes

   Then let Ausonia, skilled in every art To soften manners, but corrupt the heart, Pour her exotic follies o'er the town, To sanctionVice, and hunt Decorum down.

—Rochdale

Mr Kemblesacrificestoomuchto decorum.He ischiefly afraid of being contaminated by too close an identity with the character herepresents.This isthegreatest vice in an actor, who ought never to bilk his part.

—Hazlitt,William

Every man also has his moral backside which he refrains fromshowing unlesshehastoand keeps covered as long as possible with the trousers of decorum.

—Lichtenberg, Georg Christoph