Definition of DECOROUS

decorous

Meanings

Adjective

  • characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct
    • "the tete-a-tete was decorous in the extreme"

Adjective Satellite

  • according with custom or propriety

Adj

  • Marked by behaviour, manners, etc., regarded as proper, tasteful, and in accordance with accepted standards; becoming, seemly.
  • Appropriate, suitable.

Origin / Etymology

From the following:
* Latin decōrus (“becoming, fitting, proper, suitable”) + English -ous (suffix adjectives denoting presence of a quality in any degree, typically an abundance). Decōrus is derived from decor (“elegrance, grace; charm beauty”) + -us (suffix forming adjectives); and decor is from decēre, the present active infinitive of decet (“to adorn; to be decent; to be proper or suitable”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *deḱ- (“to perceive; to take”).
* Possibly also influenced by Late Latin decorōsus (“beautiful; elegant”), from decoris + -ōsus (suffix meaning ‘full of’ forming adjectives from nouns). Decoris is the genitive singular of decus (“beauty, grace, ornament, splendour; distinction, glory, honour”), from Proto-Indo-European *déḱos (“that which is proper”), from *deḱ- (see above).

Scrabble Score: 11

decorous is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
decorous is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
decorous is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 13

decorous is a valid Words With Friends word