decorum

Definitions

Borrowed whole from Latin decōrum, the neuter of decōrus ('fitting') — literally 'the fitting thing (to do).' Latin froze the bare idea 'what is becoming' into a noun for a whole standard of conduct. So decorum isn't a single polite act; it's the unwritten code of what behavior suits a place — a courtroom, a funeral, parliament.

Why It Means This

Decorum is propriety raised to a code. The key image: every setting has an invisible standard of 'the fitting thing,' and decorum is your awareness of it. That's why a 'breach of decorum' isn't breaking a law — it's doing something that simply didn't suit the occasion. The adjective decorous and adverb decorously carry the same sense down to individual acts.

Common Collocations

• 1.lack of decorum缺乏礼仪
• 2.sense of decorum礼仪感
• 3.matters of decorum礼仪问题

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The lawyer reminded everyone to observe proper decorum in court.

• 2.

  His outburst was a serious breach of decorum.

• 3.

  The guests behaved with perfect decorum throughout the dinner.

Easily Confused

decorum vs etiquette — Both are about proper behavior, but etiquette is the set of explicit rules (which fork, how to address a duke), while decorum is the broader sense of what's fitting for the occasion. You can follow every rule of etiquette and still lack decorum if your manner is wrong for the moment.