noun
decorum
dih-KAW-ruhm
Decorum (noun) means Polite, appropriate behaviour expected in a particular social setting. Example: “Everyone maintained decorum during the formal ceremony.”
noun
1
Polite, appropriate behaviour expected in a particular social setting.
"Everyone maintained decorum during the formal ceremony."
"His outburst was seen as a serious breach of decorum."
How to use decorum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBehaving properly and respectfully for the occasion.
Common mistake
Decorum is about correct social conduct, not decoration — despite the similar spelling, the two words are unrelated in meaning.
Common pairings
maintain decorum
a sense of decorum
breach of decorum
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Word forms
- Plural
- decora, decorums
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Everyone maintained _____ during the formal ceremony.
Etymology
A learned borrowing from Latin decōrum, meaning "proper" or "fitting."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for decorum
See all rhymes for decorum →Frequently asked questions
What does “decorum” mean?
The word “decorum” means polite, appropriate behaviour expected in a particular social setting. In plain terms, behaving properly and respectfully for the occasion.
How do you pronounce “decorum”?
“Decorum” is pronounced dih-KAW-ruhm (/dɪˈkɔːɹəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “decorum” in a sentence?
Here is “decorum” used in a sentence: “Everyone maintained decorum during the formal ceremony.”
What part of speech is “decorum”?
“Decorum” is a noun.
Where does the word “decorum” come from?
The word “decorum” comes from Latin. A learned borrowing from Latin decōrum, meaning "proper" or "fitting.".
