Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- adjective Characterized by or exhibiting decorum; proper.
from The Century Dictionary.
- Characterized by or conspicuous for decorum; proper; decent; especially (of persons), formally polite and proper in speech and conduct.
- Synonyms Fit, seemly, comely, orderly, appropriate.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- adjective Suitable to a character, or to the time, place, and occasion; marked with decorum; becoming; proper; seemly; befitting
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective
Marked byproper behavior .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adjective characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct
- adjective according with custom or propriety
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
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Examples
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Our definition of "decorous" is rather stodgy and inhibited compared to much of the rest of the civilized world.
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Nothing of the Endicott in face or manner, nothing tragical, the expression decorous and formal, perhaps a trifle quizzical, as this was their first meeting since the interview in
The Art of Disappearing John Talbot Smith 1889
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Years back, before either had married, they had luxuriated together in what would today be termed an affair, although neither then would have conceived of applying a title so decorous to the things they were doing with each other so ardently and incessantly, with never a pledge or serious care of a future together.
Closing Time Joseph Heller 1994
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Smuts said the coverage also gave the always "decorous" policy unit head and minister of public enterprises, Jeff Radebe, a shot at selling and answering questions on the party's election manifesto.
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So he really has been actually kind of decorous in what he has been willing to say.
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You have yet to hear the 'decorous' and thrilling part of my tale.
Molly Bawn Margaret Wolfe Hamilton
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This lasted until spring; then came a sensation and scandal, such as decorous Heatherton had not known since the time
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She has expressed ambivalence when asked, which is either a decorous reluctance to appear too eager for the brass ring or a reflection of real doubt.
Rhee's successor escapes her shadow; challenges remain Bill Turque 2011
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His decorous declarations ringing in freedom from behind the bars of a Birmingham cell -- daring to call forth those things that be not as though they were.
Bishop T.D. Jakes: Honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bishop T.D. Jakes 2012
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So at four in the morning, I went into the "massage room" and fell asleep while receiving a very decorous shiatsu massage by a man who kept reminding me to make sure my kimono was tightly shut.
Karin Badt: An All-Night Bath Experience In Tokyo (PHOTOS) Karin Badt 2011
sherry28 commented on the word decorous
"And I really can't belive that you would try to screw me out of everything we built together and then expect me to be decorous about it ." From: All we wver wanted was everything . Author: Janelle Brown. Page: 318
October 16, 2010
mohitanand commented on the word decorous
characterized by good taste in manners and conduct
Sally's parties are decorous affairs, and instead of the usual beer and music, there is tea and intellectual conversation.
October 12, 2016