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

There are also examples of schools that reject students with academic or behavioral struggles. — Peter Greene, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

From 2022 onward, Lozano has held multiple central office roles, including chief of staff, executive director of professional standards and labor relations, executive director for behavioral threat assessments and chief safety and security officer. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026

Kids with behavioral needs benefit from improving their self-esteem and self-control. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

Compliments can be especially challenging for people who struggle with self-esteem, says Xuan Zhao, a behavioral scientist. — Malaka Gharib, NPR, 18 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