behavioral

adjective

be·​hav·​ior·​al bi-ˈhā-vyə-rəl 

bē-

1

: of or relating to behavior : pertaining to reactions made in response to social stimuli

behavioral problems

behavioral similarities

Half of all potential guide dogs don't get final clearance because of medical or behavioral issues.

—Cassie Kreitner

2

: relating to or concerned with the social, psychological, and emotional factors that affect financial decisions and behavior

behavioral economics

Behavioral finance … holds that financial man—far from the perfect, mechanical trader depicted in textbooks—is a rather neurotic fellow. He follows the crowd, fails to plan ahead and often makes mistakes.

—Roger Lowenstein

behaviorally

bi-ˈhā-vyə-rə-lē 

bē-

adverb

… gradually came to the conclusion that the wild dogs are physically and behaviorally distinct enough to constitute a uniform breed.

—Christine Mlot

Examples of behavioral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

From a behavioral perspective, grooming bonds animals closer together. —Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025

Audrey slowly settled into things as a pampered pet, but her time as a stray had left noticeable behavioral issues. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025

Home availability, willingness of community providers to serve people with certain behavioral or medical needs, and a lack of support from guardians can be issues both in Illinois and nationwide, Otwell said. —Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025

While these diseases tend to be the result of a combination of genetic, physiological and environmental factors, behavioral factors also come into play. —Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing behavioral

• behavioral modification
• behavioral science
• behavioral therapist
• behavioral therapy
• cognitive behavioral therapy

Rhymes for behavioral

• behavioural
• biobehavioral
• neurobehavioral