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 of decorum

• 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

There, Powell trained some of the company's biggest young stars in the art of public decorum. — Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 1 Sep. 2026

On that night, this game of decorum belonged to the aggrieved and the sloshed—at least until Medvedev lost in five sets. — Owen Lewis, Air Mail, 29 Aug. 2026

These rules are set to maintain decorum, determine the will of the majority, preserve the rights of the minority, and facilitate the orderly transaction of business. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Individual rights and political scientists are raising questions about the Tarrant County Commissioners Court decorum policy that led to the arrest of two people. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from neuter of Latin decōrus "good-looking, worthy of approval, suitable" — more at decorous

First Known Use

1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for decorum

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