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 last - and perhaps the most interesting - reason comes from behavioral economics. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 7 July 2026

In 2021, the council published a report on homelessness and behavioral health. — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026

Vibe Science says those biomarker changes align with behavioral change, such as falling asleep faster, feeling calmer or, in alertness sessions, sharper focus. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

Utah has long played an outsized role in the troubled teen industry, a network of private, for-profit residential centers for children with behavioral issues. — Kathy McCormack, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 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