decorum
/dɪˈkɔːɹəm/
Group 2Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (noun)
- Behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety; etiquette GRE
Example in Context
The chairperson struggled to maintain decorum as tempers flared and delegates began interrupting each other with increasing hostility.
Synonyms
politenessproprietymanners
Etymology
Proper behavior and manners, reflecting good taste.
- decorus (Latin) — proper, seemly
Memory Aid
🎩Sounds like “decorum sounds like 'decorum-ies'”
Imagine a penguin in a tuxedo saying 'DE-CORUM-IES! Etiquette is my middle name!'
Visual Association
👗A formal dinner where everyone is elegantly dressed, behaving perfectly, while a clown slips on a banana peel.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “decorum” mean on the GRE?
decorum (noun) means “Behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety; etiquette”. The chairperson struggled to maintain decorum as tempers flared and delegates began interrupting each other with increasing hostility.
How to remember “decorum” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “decorum” sounds like “decorum sounds like 'decorum-ies'”. Imagine a penguin in a tuxedo saying 'DE-CORUM-IES! Etiquette is my middle name!'
What are synonyms for “decorum”?
Common synonyms: politeness, propriety, manners.