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Behavior vs Decorum - What's the difference?

behavior | decorum |

In uncountable terms the difference between behavior and decorum

is that behavior is the way a device or system operates while decorum is appropriate social behavior; propriety.

In countable terms the difference between behavior and decorum

is that behavior is an instance of the way a living creature behaves while decorum is a convention of social behavior.

behavior

English

Alternative forms

* behaviour (everywhere except US) * (l), (l), (l), (l)

Noun

(en-noun)
  • (uncountable) Human conduct relative to social norms.
  • (uncountable) The way a living creature behaves or acts generally.
  • (uncountable, informal) A state of probation about one's conduct.
  • He was on his best behavior when her family visited.
  • (countable) An instance of the way a living creature behaves.
  • (countable, uncountable, biology, psychology) Observable response produced by an organism.
  • (uncountable) The way a device or system operates.
  • Usage notes

    * Adjectives often applied to "behavior": human, animal, physical, chemical, mechanical, electrical, organizational, corporate, social, collective, parental, interpersonal, sexual, criminal, appropriate, inappropriate, correct, incorrect, right, wrong, good, bad, acceptable, unacceptable, poor, ethical, unethical, moral, immoral, responsible, irresponsible, normal, odd, deviant, abnormal, violent, abusive, aggressive, offensive, defensive, rude, stupid, undesirable, verbal, nonverbal, learned, professional, unprofessional, adaptive, compulsive, questionable, assertive, disgusting, self-destructive.

    decorum

    English

    Noun

  • (uncountable) Appropriate social behavior; propriety
  • * 2010 — , This Isn't What It Looks Like , ch. 4
  • It was sort of a finishing school. You know, to teach proper social decorum and so on and so forth.
  • (countable) A convention of social behavior