decorum

Meanings

1. 1noununcountableformal

   Polite and respectful behavior that suits a formal or serious occasion.

   Grammar: Not used with a plural form: maintain decorum.

   Patterns

   • maintain decorum
   • with decorum

   The judge demanded decorum in the courtroom.

   Guests behaved with decorum throughout the ceremony.

   He lost all sense of decorum after the third glass of wine.

2. 2noununcountableformal

   The accepted rules of good manners in a particular group or setting.

   Grammar: Sometimes appears in the plural decorums, though rarely.

   Patterns

   • the decorum of something

   Diplomatic decorum limits what officials can say.

   The decorum of the old club was strict.

   She studied the decorum of the royal court.

Common combinations

maintain decorum

The chairman asked everyone to maintain decorum.

breach of decorum

Shouting during the speech was a breach of decorum.

proper decorum

Proper decorum is expected at a funeral.

sense of decorum

He had little sense of decorum.

observe decorum

Visitors must observe decorum in the temple.

Synonyms and how they differ

etiquette

Etiquette refers to specific rules of manners, while decorum is the overall dignified behavior.

propriety

Propriety stresses moral correctness, often in matters of conduct.

politeness

Politeness is an everyday quality, whereas decorum suits formal occasions.

dignity

Dignity is about self-respect, while decorum is about behaving appropriately.

Opposites

Word family

decorous adjective

polite and proper

decorously adverb

in a proper, dignified way

indecorous adjective

improper or unseemly

decorousness noun

the quality of being proper

Commonly confused: decorum or decor?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “decorum”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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