decorum

noun

de·​co·​rum di-ˈkȯr-əm How to pronounce decorum (audio)
Synonyms of decorum
1
: literary and dramatic propriety : fitness
According to strict neoclassic decorum only the aristocracy had the right to appear in tragedy …—Irving Babbitt
2
: propriety and good taste in conduct or appearance
… strict in her notions of decorum …—Jane Austen
3
: orderliness
… the organization's decorum has rarely been shaken.—W. F. Longgood
4
decorums plural : the conventions of polite behavior
… the established sobrieties and decorums of English life.—H. G. Wells

Synonyms of decorum

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of decorum in a Sentence

He has no sense of decorum. high standards of decorum are usually required when attending the opera
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Though photography may be allowed at royal events, personal requests for pictures are considered a breach of decorum. — Veronica Bravo, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026 The food remains rigorously composed but more attuned to our moment, and the servers, a number of whom have worked for Daniel Boulud for decades, prize warmth as much as decorum. — Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026 But despite Clark’s wrongdoings on and off the course, the decorum of being a golf patron, especially at a major championship, is paramount. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026 Its design is attractive yet understated, exuding British decorum. — Kristin Shaw, Forbes.com, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for decorum

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from neuter of decorus — see decorous

First Known Use

1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of decorum was in 1568

Rhymes for decorum

See All Rhymes for decorum

Browse Nearby Words

decorticosis
decorum
decoupage
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Decorum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decorum. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

decorum

noun
de·​co·​rum di-ˈkōr-əm How to pronounce decorum (audio)
-ˈkȯr-
1
: agreement with accepted standards of conduct : proper behavior
social decorum
2
: the state or condition of being calm, orderly, and well-regulated
the decorum of the meeting

More from Merriam-Webster on decorum

Nglish: Translation of decorum for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about decorum

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All