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behavior

behavior

1.8
The way a person or animal acts toward other people in social situations
  • noun
  • /bɪˈheɪvjər/
  • US
translation icon : comportamiento
  • I've been trying to help people change their behavior for many years.
  • aggressive behavior
  • disruptive behavior
  • behavior problems

And then explain how their behavior is making you feel.

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Examples

  • When we have appropriate goals, they direct and energize our behavior, and they increase our persistence.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Now, I see where the dangerous behavior comes from.

  • And then explain how their behavior is making you feel.

  • You have patterns of behavior that are broken.

  • Your behavior with that boy tonight was ridiculous.

  • Guilt that leads to a change of behavior is a powerful thing.

  • I'm not exactly sure what the behavior should be in this situation.

  • This kind of behavior is tolerated, but not allowed.

  • International experts analyzed the data to identify behaviors that are most critical to investigate.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The teacher praised the student for his exceptional behavior during the class discussion.

Synonyms

conduct
vsbehavior
390 3.7

The way a person behaves in a particular situation

is broader, covering general responses and social interactions
manners
vsbehavior
248 1.0

Polite ways of behaving toward other people, like saying please and thank you

is more general and includes all kinds of acts not only polite ones
manner
vsbehavior
186 1.0

A person's usual way of acting

focuses on style of doing things rather than social responses
demeanor
vsbehavior
  • US
77 4.9

The way a person behaves toward other people

is about actions and responses, not only outward appearance
deportment
vsbehavior
  • Archaic
3 7.6

The way a person behaves towards other people

is broader, applying to all actions not only social ones

Compounds

Ways people act and react to others and their surroundings

Actions that hurt or try to control other people

behavior modification
  • Specialized
6 4.5

A way to change unwanted actions by rewarding the good and discouraging the bad

behavior therapy
  • Specialized
3 3.9

A treatment that helps people change actions they do not want by rewarding better ones

A set of rules members of a group like a school or company must follow

Very bold, shameless actions that ignore normal rules

dickish behavior
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Rude, selfish actions that hurt or upset other people

Actions in public that disturb other people or cause trouble

1 7.8

Violent actions that try to scare or hurt other people

1 5.8

Actions or words that hurt other people's feelings and damage relationships

Trying too hard to please others by being polite and friendly in a way that does not seem honest

8.4

Very cruel or violent actions like those of a wild animal that hurt people

brain behavior
  • Specialized
5.6

The way brain activity links to a person's actions

catty behavior
  • Offensive
7.7

Mean words or actions that secretly hurt people in a social group

Wanting too much attention and support from someone

9.9

Strange actions that make other people feel uncomfortable or unsafe

A rule that lets men have more freedom about sex than women and judges them more harshly

douchey behavior
  • Offensive
9.9

Rude selfish actions that ignore other people's feelings

9.9

Loud, rough, slightly rude actions that seem cheerful and not polite

autistic behavior
  • Specialized
6.8

Actions and reactions common in people with autism

fuckskull behavior
  • Offensive
9.9

Very rude, foolish actions that show little common sense

klutzy behavior
  • Informal
7.7

Clumsy actions that cause small accidents or mistakes

7.3

Acting to get attention from other people in a selfish, showy way

Not giving money or help when others expect it

9.9

Rude or impolite actions that traditional Indian people see as wrong

gimboid behavior
  • Offensive
9.9

To act in an awkward, silly way that makes others feel embarrassed or annoyed

9.9

Mean actions that spoil other people's fun

9.9

Rude actions that show bad manners and offend others

gropy behavior
  • Offensive
9.9

Touching someone in a sexual way without their permission

9.9

A very showy way of behaving to get attention

A way of acting in public that often includes loud, demanding complaints and asking to speak to a manager

relaxation behavior
  • Specialized
8.1

The way a physical system slowly returns to its normal state after a disturbance

Actions that are loud and show too much confidence

rummy behavior
  • Archaic
9.6

Acting in a strange way that surprises other people

9.9

Behavior like a strict church leader who judges others

9.9

An insulting phrase for rude or criminal actions blamed on certain travelling communities

9.9

Actions like those of people who follow the Pope

9.9

Actions that are unpredictable and that many people find offensive

9.9

A very cruel or dishonest action that hurts other people

Sudden unpredictable mood changes that affect how a person acts

trampy behavior
  • Offensive
9.3

Acting in a sexual way that people think is improper

9.9

Actions that show sexual interest in a way people strongly disapprove

9.9

Walking or doing things while asleep without knowing it

9.9

Clumsy or very energetic actions that draw attention and often make people laugh

9.9

Socially awkward or unusual actions that may offend people

9.0

Nervous, strange actions that make people feel uneasy

9.9

Acting like a straight person to fit in or hide true self

Rude actions that show a lack of politeness

9.9

Strong support for the government and its messages without question, often seen in Russia

wankstain behavior
  • Offensive
9.9

Very rude and shameful behavior that makes people feel disgusted

How Appropriate

good manners
23 1.0
behavior
  • US
1.8
misbehavior
15 3.6

Surface Forms

behavior singular
behaviors plural
behaviours plural
behaviour singular

Morphology

behavior = behave (transparent) = behave + ior

The noun is a regular nominalization of the verb 'behave', so the meaning is predictable from the verb.

Etymology

Behavior comes from the verb behave, which is made of be- and have and originally meant to 'hold or carry yourself'. So behavior is literally how you 'hold yourself' around others, which is why it means the way a person or animal acts in social situations.