decorum

noun

de·​co·​rum di-ˈkȯr-əm 

1

: literary and dramatic propriety : fitness

according to strict neoclassic decorum only the aristocracy had the right to appear in tragedy

—Irving Babbitt

2

: propriety and good taste in conduct or appearance

strict in her notions of decorum

—Jane Austen

3

: orderliness

the organization's decorum has rarely been shaken

—W. F. Longgood

4

decorums plural : the conventions of polite behavior

the established sobrieties and decorums of English life

—H. G. Wells

Synonyms

• decency
• form
• propriety

Examples of decorum in a Sentence

He has no sense of decorum.

high standards of decorum are usually required when attending the opera

Recent Examples on the Web

During the vote, Democrats and Republicans maintained decorum, with each party clapping for their candidate as tellers read the votes. —Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Jan. 2025

Stella's eating of the body of Jesus had nothing to do with decorum. —Gwen Faulkenberry, arkansasonline.com, 5 Dec. 2024

Baum was the only Republican in 2023 to vote against resolutions to expel three Democrats from the House for violating decorum rules by holding a gun control protest from the House floor. —The Tennessean, 15 Oct. 2024

However, throughout the classical Hollywood era, audiences generally abided by a code of decorum that seems lifted from a Jane Austen novel. —Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from neuter of decorus — see decorous

First Known Use

1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

decorum

noun

de·​co·​rum di-ˈkōr-əm 

-ˈkȯr-

1

: agreement with accepted standards of conduct : proper behavior

social decorum

2

: the state or condition of being calm, orderly, and well-regulated

the decorum of the meeting