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If you’re looking for a polite topic of conversation to raise at your next gathering of word lovers, we’ve got just the ticket. The French word étiquette means “ticket”; its direct French ancestor also referred to a label attached to something for description or identification. Spaniards of the 16th-century adopted the French word (altering it to etiqueta), and used it to refer to the written protocols describing the behavior demanded of those who appeared at court. Eventually, etiqueta came to be applied to the court ceremonies themselves as well as to the documents which outlined their requirements. Word of this linguistic development got back to the French, who then expanded their word’s meaning to include “proper court behavior” along with its “label” sense. By the middle of the 18th century English speakers had taken on etiquette as their own, applying it to the rules that indicate the proper and polite way to behave, whether in the presence or royalty or not.
Examples of etiquette in a Sentence
Dominique Fluker, Essence, 20 Apr. 2024
What is the etiquette for sending thanks or responding at this point?
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
Mistry said the etiquette issue is particularly challenging for her company's membership community, as South Asian weddings often have hundreds of guests and span several days of events.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024
In general, small gifts are a great way to make any kind of disruption from neighbors more palatable, suggested Chiara Riggs Sill, founder of Etiquette Moderne, which offers etiquette courses across California.
—Keith Wagstaff, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024
Executives should take the time to review all workplace policies with managers, like conduct, etiquette, and dress code, and ensure managers uphold these policies equitably.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024
This would normally be breach of concert etiquette, or a reason to break out the Narcan nasal spray.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
And all of us should do our part to practice good appointment etiquette: Show up on time (or early, if that’s requested), and confirm during check-in how much time you’re scheduled for.
—Rachel Wilkerson Miller, SELF, 3 Apr. 2024
The nearly four-month-long program includes five dedicated weeks of service training, including etiquette, grooming, meal preparation, and more.
—Chris Dong, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'etiquette.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Etiquette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/etiquette. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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