decorum

noun

de·​co·​rum di-ˈkȯr-əm How to pronounce decorum (audio)
1
: literary and dramatic propriety : fitness
according to strict neoclassic decorum only the aristocracy had the right to appear in tragedyIrving Babbitt
2
: propriety and good taste in conduct or appearance
strict in her notions of decorumJane Austen
3
: orderliness
the organization's decorum has rarely been shakenW. F. Longgood
4
decorums plural : the conventions of polite behavior
the established sobrieties and decorums of English lifeH. G. Wells

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 on the Web The employees were tasked with editing and moderating ads to fit ever-shifting standards of decorum set by management. Richard Ruelas, The Arizona Republic, 24 Jan. 2024 Students and their families can contact each school’s staff for information about cap and gown orders, specific ceremony plans, guest tickets, safety protocols, graduation decorum, and access to live streaming options for family and friends unable to attend in person. Jimena Tavel, Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2024 There’s a widespread disregard for decency and decorum among our modern political class, which appears incapable of providing a model of virtuous behavior for the broader public to emulate. Guy Denton, National Review, 20 Jan. 2024 Hugh Laurie stars as Ryan Clark, captain of a giant space cruise ship full of snobby, rich space tourists, though when the ship's course gets changed from a few weeks to over three years, the classy decorum begins to break down. EW.com, 9 Nov. 2023 The contrast between Northern Ireland’s parliamentary decorum and the violence engulfing Gaza 2,500 miles away could not have been more striking. Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Feb. 2024 The display of temper caused courtroom onlookers to stare in disbelief at the former president’s breach of decorum. Kate Christobek, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2024 May God bless us with four more years of Joe Biden’s leadership, his decency and his decorum. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2024 The color is exceptionally romantic, and the fit is perfect — note that neckline — but those wrinkles break the sense of heady decorum. Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decorum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from neuter of decorus — see decorous

First Known Use

1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of decorum was in 1568

Dictionary Entries Near decorum

Cite this Entry

“Decorum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decorum. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

decorum

noun
de·​co·​rum di-ˈkōr-əm How to pronounce decorum (audio)
-ˈkȯr-
1
: agreement with accepted standards of conduct : proper behavior
social decorum
2
: the state or condition of being calm, orderly, and well-regulated
the decorum of the meeting

More from Merriam-Webster on decorum

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