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noun A2 Elementary Common

behavior

bih-HAY-vyuh
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Also spelled behaviour (UK spelling)

Behavior (noun) means the way a person, animal, or system acts, especially in response to a situation. Example: “The therapist studies behavior to understand anxiety triggers.”

noun
1
The way a person, animal, or system acts, especially in response to a situation.
"The therapist studies behavior to understand anxiety triggers."
"Odd behavior from the software suggested a bug in the code."
"The teacher praised the children for their polite behavior during the trip."

How to use behavior

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHow someone or something acts.

UK vs US

"Behavior" is the American spelling; British English uses "behaviour."

Easily confused with
behaviour →
Common pairings
human behavior behavior pattern strange behavior
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Word forms

Plural
behaviors
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The therapist studies _____ to understand anxiety triggers.

Etymology

From Middle English behavour, formed from "behave" plus a suffix borrowed by analogy from the older word "havour" (meaning possessions or conduct), itself from Old French avoir ("to have").

Origin: Old French

Synonyms

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actions manner bearing manners behaviour doings demeanour comportment conduct demeanor deportment

Related words

way act deal lead style officer charge direction

Rhymes for behavior

Dior prior senior junior savior warrior anterior interior exterior inferior superior ulterior
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Frequently asked questions

What does “behavior” mean?
The word “behavior” means the way a person, animal, or system acts, especially in response to a situation. In plain terms, how someone or something acts.
How do you pronounce “behavior”?
“Behavior” is pronounced bih-HAY-vyuh (/bɪˈheɪ.vjɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “behavior” in a sentence?
Here is “behavior” used in a sentence: “The therapist studies behavior to understand anxiety triggers.”
What is another word for “behavior”?
Words with a similar meaning to “behavior” include comportment, conduct, demeanor and deportment.
What part of speech is “behavior”?
“Behavior” is a noun.
Where does the word “behavior” come from?
The word “behavior” comes from Old French. From Middle English behavour, formed from "behave" plus a suffix borrowed by analogy from the older word "havour" (meaning possessions or conduct), itself from Old French avoir ("to have").
Is “behavior” a common word?
“Behavior” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between 'behavior' and 'behaviour'?
There is no difference in meaning — only in spelling. 'Behavior' is the American English form, while 'behaviour', with a 'u', is the British and Commonwealth spelling. Both refer to the way someone or something acts. Which you use simply depends on the regional style you are writing in.
What is the difference between behavior and attitude?
Attitude is an inner mindset — how someone feels or thinks about something. Behavior is the outward action that others can observe. Attitudes often shape behavior, but the two can diverge: a person may feel annoyed yet behave politely. One is internal; the other is visible.
Can behavior be changed?
Yes. Behavior is strongly shaped by learning, habit, and environment, so it can be altered through practice, reinforcement, or therapy. Rewarding desired actions and removing the triggers for unwanted ones are common methods. Change often takes time and consistency, but behavior is far from fixed.
What are the types of behavior?
Behavior is classified in several ways. Some is innate, present from birth, while much is learned through experience. It can be voluntary or involuntary, conscious or unconscious, and verbal or non-verbal. Psychologists also distinguish social behavior, directed toward others, from individual behavior carried out alone.

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