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Glite Dictionary
decorousness

decorousness

1 8.4
A polite way of behaving that follows social rules
  • noun
  • /dɪˈkɔrəsnəs/
  • Formal
: decorosidad
  • Her decorousness at the dinner table demonstrated her understanding of social etiquette.

Examples

  • But emulation encourages the imitator not to merely copy, but to strive to improve the exemplar's judgment and decorousness.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Or is she destined only for decorousness?

    A Quiet Passion (2016)

  • The speaker's decorousness during the formal event impressed everyone in attendance.

  • We should strive for decorousness in our behavior when interacting with guests.

Synonyms

manners
vsdecorousness
227 1.0

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

is more about correctness and propriety in conduct than general habit
courtesy
vsdecorousness
193 1.9

Polite actions or words that show respect for other people

focuses more on overall correct and socially acceptable behavior
civility
vsdecorousness
63 4.2

Polite and respectful words and actions toward other people

covers similar politeness but centers on proper social propriety
decorum
vsdecorousness
  • Formal
30 7.3

Polite and proper behavior in formal situations

is the same idea focused on propriety in manners and conduct
good manners
vsdecorousness
29 1.0

Polite and respectful actions toward other people

is broader, stressing correct social propriety beyond simple courtesy
politeness
vsdecorousness
24 1.3

Showing good manners and respect to other people

emphasizes correct social propriety rather than just polite acts
gentility
vsdecorousness
4 7.9

Polite and elegant behavior that shows high social standing

is centered on general propriety rather than social class or elegance
comportment
vsdecorousness
  • Formal
3 8.2

A person's way of behaving, especially calm and formal in public

is less about posture and more about socially proper behavior
politesse
vsdecorousness
  • Formal
1 9.9

Formal good manners and speech that shows respect for others

is more general, covering overall proper and acceptable conduct
respectfulness
vsdecorousness
1 3.9

Polite and kind behavior toward other people's feelings and wishes

is broader, stressing socially proper behaviour beyond personal regard
gentlemanliness
vsdecorousness
  • Formal
1 7.2

Polite and kind behaviour that shows respect and good manners

is focused on general proper and acceptable manners, not gendered ideal
courtliness
vsdecorousness
  • Literature
1 8.1

Polite and elegant behavior like people at a royal court

is about common social propriety rather than aristocratic refinement
courteousness
vsdecorousness
1 3.5

A polite way of behaving that shows respect for other people

puts more weight on meeting formal standards of proper conduct

Antonyms

indecorousness
  • Formal
1 9.9

Lack of polite behavior or good taste

How Proper

primness
1 7.7
propriety
  • Formal
25 7.4
decorousness
  • Formal
1 8.4
politeness
24 1.3
impropriety
  • Formal
26 8.1
rudeness
26 1.8

Surface Forms

decorousness singular
decorousnesses plural

Morphology

decorousness = decorous (transparent) = decorous + ness

Formed by the standard noun-forming suffix '-ness' added to the adjective 'decorous', yielding the state or quality of being decorous.

Etymology

Decorousness comes from the Latin root decor meaning 'beauty' or 'proper', and you can see the same root in decorate and the English word decor for room style, so decorousness is about behaving in a way that looks polite and proper.