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

To find behavioral health treatment services, visit SAMHSA’s website. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 5 Dec. 2025

The shelter will provide housing resources, mental and behavioral supports, among others. —Dennis Valera, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025

The behavioral health care and residential treatment provider slid more than 13% after cutting its full-year earnings guidance. —Fred Imbert, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2025

The critical unlock came from a set of behavioral interventions to help bankers use technologies in new ways. —Scott D. Anthony, Fortune, 29 Nov. 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