decorum

noun

de·​co·​rum di-ˈkȯr-əm 

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

Synonyms

• etiquette
• decency
• propriety

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

In keeping with House decorum rules, members can't use the platform to disparage other members. —Mary Jo Pitzl, AZCentral.com, 13 July 2025

Different views on the topic Some readers challenge the emphasis on political decorum, arguing that respect must be earned through honorable conduct rather than election victories. —Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025

Starmer stooped to pick them up, later explaining that he was compelled to ditch diplomatic decorum because anyone else trying to help risked spooking the president’s security team. —Rob Gillies, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025

This spurred her to want to improve board decorum and make commission meetings more efficient. —Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from neuter of decorus — see decorous

First Known Use

1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for decorum

• picloram
• pullorum
• aurum
• foram
• forum
• quorum
• digitorum
• neonatorum

Kids Definition

decorum

noun

de·​co·​rum di-ˈkōr-əm 

-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