Definition of decorum
1 : literary and dramatic propriety : fitness according to strict neoclassic decorum only the aristocracy had the right to appear in tragedy — Irving Babbitt
2 : propriety and good taste in conduct or appearance strict in her notions of decorum — Jane Austen
3 : orderliness the organization's decorum has rarely been shaken — W. F. Longgood
4 decorums plural : the conventions of polite behavior the established sobrieties and decorums of English life — H. G. Wells
From the M-W Editors
Examples of decorum in a Sentence
He has no sense of decorum.
high standards of decorum are usually required when attending the opera
Recent Examples of decorum from the Web
-
Of course, policing decorum and occasionally laying down the law at the buffet can be crucial to maintaining order.
-
At one point, board President Iris Taylor had to remind the audience of the board's rules of decorum.
-
Then, out of the blue, the Senate boss saw two colleagues on TV announcing a competing plan — an extraordinary end-run in a body famous for its decorum and a caucus renowned for its discipline.
-
So an extravagant offering was not just unnecessary but also a breach of decorum.
-
Several regulations tightly govern decorum at the cemetery to preserve the sanctity of the burial ground.
-
And while Rihanna, of course, is probably impervious to such mundane concerns as germs and travel decorum, not every traveler is Rihanna.
-
People on both sides of the aisle are angry, and people on both sides of the aisle are abandoning decorum to a degree that’s scary.
-
Both courtrooms were covered by a strict decorum order issued by Montgomery County Judge Steven T. O’Neill.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'decorum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of decorum
Latin, from neuter of decorus —see decorous
DECORUM Defined for English Language Learners
decorum
playDefinition of decorum for English Language Learners
-
: correct or proper behavior that shows respect and good manners
DECORUM Defined for Kids
decorum
playDefinition of decorum for Students
: proper behavior Grandpa insisted on decorum during the ceremony.
Learn More about decorum
-
See words that rhyme with decorum Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for decorum Spanish Central: Translation of decorum Nglish: Translation of decorum for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of decorum for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about decorum
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up decorum? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!