Decorous
/ˈdɛkərəs/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Decorous describes actions, behavior, or manners that follow the rules of good taste and respect. It means acting politely and correctly, especially in places or events where people expect proper behavior. It often refers to being calm, controlled, and suitable for the situation.
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See It in Action
Showing good manners and respect in behavior
- •She gave a decorous bow before speaking to the queen.
- •The guests behaved in a decorous manner during the ceremony.
- •It’s important to be decorous when visiting someone’s home.
Suitable and proper for formal or serious occasions
- •The decorous dress code required jackets and ties.
- •His decorous speech impressed the audience.
- •The decorous atmosphere made everyone speak quietly.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'decorous' like 'nice' or 'polite' (A1 words), but more formal and serious—like when you dress up and speak carefully at a wedding
- ✓Picture a person at a fancy dinner, sitting quietly, speaking softly, and using good manners
- ✓It’s the feeling you get when someone respects the rules and shows good manners in a serious or important place
- ✓Sounds like 'DECK-or-us' → imagine a deck (wooden floor) that is clean and tidy, just like someone’s behavior should be neat and proper
- ✓Remember characters in movies who always behave well at parties or meetings, never rude or loud
- ✓NOT like 'rude' (bad manners), 'decorous' means very polite and respectful
- ✓NOT like 'casual' (relaxed, informal), 'decorous' is formal and correct for special occasions
- ✓NOT like 'funny' or 'silly', 'decorous' means serious and respectful behavior
Try Other Words
- •Proper: behaving correctly (Use when emphasizing correct or suitable behavior)
- •Respectful: showing respect to others (Use when focusing on honoring others’ feelings or status)
- •Courteous: polite and kind (Use when highlighting kindness with good manners)
- •Formal: following official rules or style (Use when talking about official or serious events)
Unboxing
- •Prefix/root/suffix: from Latin 'decor-' meaning 'beauty, grace' + '-ous' meaning 'full of'
- •Etymology: from Latin 'decorus,' meaning 'becoming, suitable, proper'
- •Historical development: used in English since the 1600s to describe proper and fitting behavior or appearance
- •Modern usage: mostly used in writing or formal speech to describe polite, correct, and socially acceptable behavior
Reflect & Connect
•How does being decorous help people feel comfortable in formal gatherings or ceremonies?
•Can someone be polite but not decorous? What situations would show this difference?
Fill in the blanks
1.At the official event, everyone behaved in a decorous way by ___ quietly and ___ their phones.
2.A decorous person usually speaks ___ and chooses words that show ___.
3.Unlike casual parties, decorous events require guests to dress ___ and act ___.
4.When someone is decorous, they show ___ for others’ feelings and follow ___ social rules.
5.In some cultures, a decorous greeting includes ___ and a respectful ___.
6.If a person is not decorous, they might be seen as ___ or ___ in formal settings.
7.The teacher reminded the students to be decorous during the ___ because it was a serious occasion.