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

Genetic, behavioral and environmental factors also play a role in the risk of dying from chronic disease. —Lindsey Leake, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025

Head Start, a national program, provides early childhood education programs and other support services, such as meals and medical and behavioral health screenings, for low-income children 5 and younger. —Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 30 Oct. 2025

This can include poor academic and cognitive function as well as greater behavioral problems, Burghardt said. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025

The paper highlights how studios and third-party companies collect extensive data through gameplay, including location data, behavioral tracking and in-game communications. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 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