decorum means appropriate social behavior. It carries an Arena rating of 1351, earned across 3 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, decorum ranks #2,382 of 14,414 for Most Elegant Words, #2,517 of 14,440 for Most Satisfying to Say, #2,737 of 14,445 for Most Beautiful Words, #7,082 of 14,423 for Most Sublime Words.
decorum is pronounced /dɪˈkɔːɹəm/.
Why “decorum” is a great word
Appropriate and dignified conduct as prescribed by social or formal convention. A learned borrowing from Latin decōrum, the neuter form of decōrus ('proper, decent, seemly'). Unlike propriety, which concerns broad conformity to moral standards, or etiquette, which denotes a specific code of prescribed courtesies, decorum is the general, observable grace of bearing that renders one unremarkable in the right ways. It is the measured pace of a procession, the subdued hue of a courtroom suit, the precise volume of a condolence—the quiet art of moving through life without creating a draft, a shared pretense that for an hour we might behave as though dignity were still currency.
Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin decōrum, neuter form of decōrus (“proper, decent”).
noun
- Appropriate social behavior.
- A convention of social behavior.
Words closest in meaning
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