behavior
English meaning: Behavior
Definition
Human conduct relative to social norms.
Example
“The teacher praised the children for their good behavior.”
Another example: “The medication changed the dog's behavior almost overnight.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A noun for the way a person or thing acts, especially relative to social norms. Common in psychology, education and everyday life ('good behavior', 'behavior problems'). Note the US spelling 'behavior'; UK uses 'behaviour'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Middle English 'behaven' (to have or bear oneself), influenced by 'havior'; the spelling 'behavior' dates to the 15th century.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- good behavior
- bad behavior
- human behavior
- behavior problems
- aggressive behavior
- behavior pattern
Word Forms
behavior (n); behaviors (pl); behave (v); behavioral (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
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