All words

decorous

Meaning

Exhibiting behavior or appearance that is appropriate and respectful of social norms and expectations.

Examples by difficulty

Basic: Simple, everyday vocabulary — the easiest to read.

He tried his best to be decorous at the fancy party. He sat up straight, spoke quietly, and didn't grab too much food. Everyone else seemed to know exactly how to act, and he wanted to fit in by being respectful of their quiet mood.

The young alchemist, holding the glowing stone, remembered her mentor's stern look. Her movements became deliberately measured, her voice soft, all to maintain a decorous presence before the assembled scholars.

The young paleontologist, usually a whirlwind of dust and excitement, kept her movements decorous as she approached the fossilized egg. She knew how fragile the discovery was, and how much respect it deserved, so she moved with quiet care, her actions perfectly matching the solemnity of the moment.

Barnaby, usually a whirlwind of socks and cookie crumbs, surprisingly managed a decorous silence during Aunt Mildred's opera. He even avoided sticking his tongue out at the poodle, a feat even he'd deemed impossible.

Bartholomew adjusted his monocle, determined to appear decorous at the annual Slug Racing Gala. He smoothed his tiny tuxedo, hoping his enthusiasm for competitive gastropods wouldn't lead him to do anything too… slimy. He'd practiced his polite applause for hours.

Normal: Standard, everyday language.

She arrived at the formal event with a quiet confidence, her movements graceful and her attire perfectly suited to the occasion. Everyone appreciated her decorous presence; it was clear she understood the importance of showing respect and fitting in with the expectations of the gathering.

The toddler clutched her teddy bear, eyes wide as the stern librarian explained the need for quiet. Her sudden outburst of giggles was met with a disapproving frown, a stark contrast to the decorous hush that usually filled the children's section.

The solemn procession moved through the hushed town square, their faces etched with quiet grief. Even the youngest children walked with a decorous solemnity, their usual boisterous energy replaced by a profound, unspoken respect for the somber occasion.

Bartholomew adjusted his monocle, trying to maintain a decorous demeanor while a rogue pigeon dive-bombed his teacup. He hoped his ruffled feathers and the ensuing splash weren't too far from the proper, respectful way to handle an aerial assault on afternoon tea.

Barnaby adjusted his monocle, a singular eyebrow arched as he surveyed the competitive sourdough starter judging. He'd brought his prize-winning "Blob" to the county fair, but the sheer intensity of the other bakers' gazes demanded a decorous demeanor. One wrong sniff, and it was a yeast-fueled riot.

Advanced: Richer vocabulary that stretches an upper-level reader.

At the somber funeral, everyone maintained a decorous silence. Their hushed murmurs and respectful postures reflected a shared understanding of the solemn occasion, a fitting tribute to the departed and a comfort to the grieving.

The hushed audience maintained a decorous silence, their eyes fixed on the intricate dance of bioluminescent fungi onstage. Each subtle glow and pulse was met with a respectful stillness, a shared appreciation for the delicate performance unfolding without a spoken word.

The hushed library felt sacred, and Amelia adjusted her scarf, her movements decorous as she navigated the rows of ancient astrological charts. Whispers were the only sounds, a testament to the reverence for the celestial knowledge contained within.

The distinguished gentleman, despite his trousers being on backward, maintained a decorous demeanor, offering a polite nod as he navigated the ballroom with surprising aplomb. His unwavering adherence to decorous conduct, even while unknowingly presenting a sartorial enigma, was truly a spectacle for the ages.

Bartholomew, a badger with an insatiable craving for artisanal cheeses, always maintained a decorous demeanor at the annual Gopher Gala. He’d politely decline the pungent Stilton, his whiskers twitching with restrained yearning, lest he shatter the delicate balance of rodent etiquette.

Challenging: Rare, high-register vocabulary for serious word lovers.

Her quiet demeanor and the way she handled the delicate situation with such grace, always ensuring her actions were decorous, impressed everyone. Even amidst the considerable tumult, she maintained a composed and respectful comportment, a veritable paragon of propriety.

The esteemed adjudicators, their visages impassive, observed the contestant’s every gesture. A misplaced twitch, a breath too loud, anything less than the perfectly decorous presentation of their intricate fractal geometries would incur disqualification. The tension was palpable; their reputation hinged on this solemn, measured comportment.

The esteemed chronobiologist, known for her meticulous research on circadian rhythms, maintained a decorous demeanor throughout the chaotic interspecies conference. Even as the ambassador from the luminescent fungi species began emitting pheromones that induced existential dread, she calmly adjusted her spectacles, a subtle yet firm assertion of propriety.

Agnes, a notorious eccentric, strove for a decorous demeanor at her nephew's ostentatious garden party. Despite her proclivity for wearing a colander as a fascinator and serenading squirrels with opera, she maintained a stoic, albeit peculiar, composure, lest the dowager duchess admonish her with a basilisk's glare.

The Grand Duke Ferdinand, a man whose corpulence rivaled a prize-winning pumpkin, insisted on a decorous approach to competitive gargoyle polishing. He’d scowl if any contestant dared wield their chamois with less than dignified aplomb, lest their fervent buffing be construed as flagrant disrespect for the venerable art.

Difficulty

Normal — Everyday words worth reinforcing.

Appears in

Play word games with decorous Take the 2 minute vocabulary size test