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

In total, there were 21 medical facilities across Florida, including hospitals, behavioral health and rehabilitation centers, that since April received either a warning letter or, in more severe cases, requests to submit plans to provide transparent pricing, according to the AP. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026

Smith died of cardiac arrest combined with acute behavioral disturbance, cocaine use and holding restraint, The Times reported. —Adam England, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026

Piccone said achieving this seamless level of behavioral orchestration represents a massive evolution for Nuuly. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 11 June 2026

The behavioral symptoms—like self-harm, impulsivity, and extreme mood swings—tend to improve first, Masland says. —Angela Haupt, Time, 11 June 2026

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