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Glite Dictionary
indecorum

indecorum

9.9
Bad behaviour that breaks common polite rules
  • noun
  • /ˌɪndɪˈkoʊrəm/
  • Formal
translation icon : indecoro
  • She was reprimanded for her indecorum when she interrupted the speaker.

Examples

  • His indecorum during the formal dinner embarrassed everyone at the table.

  • A war is no excuse for indecorum.

    Waterloo Bridge (1940)

  • Even given his mask of madness, Hamlet's words involve risks, cruelties, and indecorums which Castiglione explicitly proscribes.

    Academic text (1994)

  • The teacher addressed the student's indecorum as it disrupted the class.

Synonyms

insolence
vsindecorum
19 7.2

Rude behavior or speech toward someone in authority

is about any breach of accepted propriety, not only disrespect toward authority
impropriety
vsindecorum
  • Formal
19 8.1

An action or remark that is not socially acceptable

is a general label for behavior that breaks accepted standards of good manners
indecency
vsindecorum
  • NSFW
12 6.3

Behavior or speech people find offensive and wrong

is about improper behavior for manners, not necessarily morally offensive
impertinence
vsindecorum
7 8.1

Rude behavior or remarks that show a lack of respect

is broader, covering improper behavior beyond cheeky disrespect
incivility
vsindecorum
5 7.9

Rude behavior that shows no politeness

is about being improper even if not deliberate or meant to offend
impoliteness
vsindecorum
1 4.1

Rude or disrespectful behavior toward other people

is broader, covering behavior that breaks accepted standards beyond rudeness
indelicacy
vsindecorum
  • Formal
1 8.1

Words or actions that are rude and hurt other people's feelings

is about breaking accepted manners rather than only lacking sensitivity
unseemliness
vsindecorum
8.6

A way someone acts or looks that seems not proper in public

is about actions that break accepted standards of good manners
indecorousness
vsindecorum
  • Formal
9.9

Lack of polite behavior or good taste

is the behavior itself that goes against accepted polite standards

Antonyms

decorum
  • Formal
30 7.3

Polite and proper behavior in formal situations

propriety
  • Formal
27 7.4

Behavior that most people think is correct in a situation

How Improper

indecency
  • NSFW
12 6.3
vulgarity
  • NSFW
18 7.4
impropriety
  • Formal
16 8.0
indecorum
  • Formal
9.9

Surface Forms

indecorum singular
indecorums plural
indecora plural

Morphology

indecorum = decorum (transparent) = in + decorum

If a learner knows 'decorum', the negative prefix 'in-' straightforwardly gives the meaning 'lack of decorum'.

Etymology

Indecorum comes from the Latin parts in- meaning 'not' and decorum meaning 'proper' or 'good manners', and it shares the same root as English decor and decorous. So, indecorum means 'not proper behavior' or actions that go against good manners.