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

The curriculum blends behavioral nuance with managerial rigor. —Samuel Burke, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025

The nonprofit, a behavioral and mental health nonprofit trauma care facility, was aware of her disability while Baker worked there, the suit said. —Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025

This alternative learning pathway can explain some behavioral similarities in bird families that have parental input. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2025

Emotional and behavioral changes can also appear, according to multiple medical sources. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 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