decorous — English Dictionary

Adjective

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

   Synonyms

   becomedmenseful

   Antonyms

   dedecorousindecorousundecorous

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   The narrovv path of truth and virtue inclines neither to the right nor left—it is a ſtraightforvvard buſineſs, and they vvho are earneſtly purſuing their road, may bound over many decorous prejudices, vvithout leaving modeſty behind.

   [S]ome grumbling voice, / Which now and then will make a slight inroad / Upon decorous silence, […]

   More examples (1)

   There came a day when the round of decorous pleasures and solemn gaieties in which Mr. Jos Sedley’s family indulged, was interrupted by an event which happens in most houses.

   On these beautiful moonlight nights, Rome appears to keep awake and stirring, though in a quiet and decorous way.

   More examples (3)

   To this Defensio Wordsworth afterward added a supplement, and the two form a treatise of permanent value for philosophic statement and decorous English.

   But who can fathom the subtleties of the human heart? Certainly not those who expect from it only decorous sentiments and normal emotions.

   The green eyes in the carefully sweet face were turbulent, willful, lusty with life, distinctly at variance with her decorous demeanor.

2. Appropriate, suitable.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   [B]oth the truth vvhich the Prophecy aims at is faithfully conveyed, and that decorous embelliſhment in the external Cortex of the Prophecy punctually obſerved.

   More examples (2)

   And it is no vvonder this falling Star or Comet ſhould be looked upon as ſo miſchievous to Rivers and VVaters, vvhen Natural Hiſtory ſpeaks of falling Comets that have drunk up vvhole Rivers; ſo decorous is the repreſentation.

   […] It is not ſo decorous in reſpect of God, that he ſhould αὐτουργεῖν ἅπαντα [autourgeîn hápanta], ſet his ovvn hand as it vvere to every vvork, and immediately do all the meaneſt and triflingſt things himſelf drudgingly, vvithout making uſe of any inferior or ſubordinate Miniſters.

Adjective

1. characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct

   Antonyms

   indecorous

   Examples

   the tete-a-tete was decorous in the extreme

2. according with custom or propriety

   Synonyms

   becomingcomelycomme il fautseemly

   Examples

   her becoming modesty

   comely behavior

   More examples (2)

   it is not comme il faut for a gentleman to be constantly asking for money

   seemly behavior