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

In The Kitchen, Wesker tracked the decorum from friendly badinage to hostile vernacular that co-workers sustain just to get through the day. —Armond White, National Review, 30 Oct. 2024

At the top of the debate, CBS moderators Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan could mute the mics to maintain decorum. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2024

Harden Policies And Procedures Anyone who's attended a board meeting is familiar with rules and the decorum that make those gatherings function in an orderly and smooth fashion. —Kevin Korte, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

Just slipping into another time when people wore gloves and hats, and there was this sense of decorum and social echelons, was quite interesting. —Ramin Zahed, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 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