decorum

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "decorum" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe polite and appropriate behavior, or the way in which somebody conducts themselves in a particular situation. For example: "At the business dinner, John was praised for his decorum, which was polite and professional throughout the evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And we must always treat Anwar Ibrahim with the degree of decorum and respect that he deserves".

The Guardian

It rubs a bit thin, therefore, that he should withdraw the allegation now everything is done, and we can only cling to the faint hope he tries to behave with a little more decorum next season (fat chance, I know).

The Guardian - Sport

He had just scored a tiny, war-ravaged country's first goal at the World Cup, giving a sliver of lustre to the name of a nation that the planet's media had been depicting as entirely blood-drenched, but he was asked to show some decorum.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was clear that the majority would conduct the hearing without any sense of decorum or fairness," Taylor told reporters in March.

The Guardian

Although Malaysia has sought to retain the procedure and decorum of the courts that existed when Britain ran the country up to independence in 1957, there was a certain lack of order in the Kuala Lumpur courtroom that would not have been tolerated in, say, London's Old Bailey.

The Economist

"SELL" is a four-letter word but it is probably not out of a sense of decorum that Wall Street's financial analysts use it so rarely.

The Economist

He said, "We will not allow the breakdown of decorum and decency to prevent us from doing what the people of this state hired us to do".

The Economist

In an unusual breach of decorum, the strains of the 2014 election prompted on-the-record grouching about the White House from a right-hand man to Harry Reid, the Democratic leader in the Senate.

The Economist

Such breakdowns in decorum remind me of the everyone-for-themselves frenzy that takes place in José Saramago's fine novel "Blindness", or what it's like to ride the New York subway during rush-hour while wearing an enormous backpack.

The Economist

And he says he wants a broad alliance, including secular socialists, liberals and even Christians, to form a new government.Yes, say the liberals, that is the image of "the smiling Brother", Essam el-Eriani, a ubiquitous spokesman who is a model of decorum on the rostrum.

The Economist

But embracing the outside world did not mean that Mr Morita enjoyed it.He had to subjugate his traditional sense of decorum; he had to learn not only to speak English but also to think English; he had to learn to say yes or no when the weight of a dozen generations of family tradition pressed him to be ambivalent.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal and professional contexts, use "decorum" to underscore the need for maintaining order and respect within a specific environment, such as a courtroom or a formal meeting.

Common error

Don't use "decorum" when simply describing politeness. "Decorum" implies a higher level of formality and adherence to specific social customs, not just general courteousness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "decorum" is that of a noun. It functions as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable word in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

24%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Decorum is a noun that refers to appropriate social behavior and propriety. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Encyclopedias, which reflects its use in describing formal situations and established conventions. While related to concepts like "civility" and "propriety", it is important not to confuse decorum with simple politeness, as it implies a higher degree of formality. A key writing tip is to use "decorum" when emphasizing adherence to social conventions, especially in professional settings. Overall, decorum is a term best suited for discussing situations where a sense of order and respect for norms is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Propriety

Emphasizes adherence to established standards of good or proper behavior.

Civility

Highlights politeness and courteous behavior, especially in public contexts.

Good manners

Focuses on observable behaviors that are considered polite and socially acceptable.

Appropriate behavior

A more general term referring to conduct that is suitable for a particular situation.

Social etiquette

Refers specifically to the formal rules and customs governing social interactions.

Polished conduct

Emphasizes refined and sophisticated behavior.

Respectful behavior

Highlights showing consideration and esteem for others.

Formalities

Highlights adherence to conventional customs or rules.

Conventional behavior

Refers to behavior conforming to accepted standards or norms.

Social graces

Emphasizes charm and elegance in social interactions.

FAQs

How to use "decorum" in a sentence?

You can use "decorum" to describe polite and appropriate behavior, or the way in which somebody conducts themselves in a particular situation. For example: "At the business dinner, John was praised for his decorum, which was polite and professional throughout the evening."

What does "breach of decorum" mean?

A "breach of decorum" refers to a violation of the established rules of polite behavior or social etiquette. It indicates a failure to maintain appropriate conduct in a given setting, often leading to disruption or offense.

What is the difference between "decorum" and "propriety"?

"Decorum" emphasizes adherence to specific social conventions and maintaining order, while "propriety" focuses more on the appropriateness of behavior according to moral or ethical standards. Decorum is about outward behavior; propriety is about inner correctness.

When is it appropriate to use the word "decorum"?

Use "decorum" when discussing formal settings, courtrooms, ceremonies, and situations where adhering to established social customs is important. It's less suited for casual or informal scenarios where simple politeness suffices.