behavior

See also: behaviour

EnglishEdit

Alternative formsEdit

EtymologyEdit

From Middle English behavoure, behaver, from behave, with -ior apparently in imitation of English havior, haviour, havour. Compare Scots havings (behavior), from have (to behave). Displaced Old English ġebǣru.

PronunciationEdit

NounEdit

behavior (usually uncountable, plural behaviors) (American spelling)

  1. (uncountable) Human conduct relative to social norms.
  2. (uncountable) The way a living creature behaves or acts generally.
  3. (uncountable, informal) A state of probation about one's conduct.
    He was on his best behavior when her family visited.
  4. (countable) An instance of the way a living creature behaves.
  5. (countable, uncountable, biology, psychology) Observable response produced by an organism.
  6. (uncountable) The way a device or system operates.

Usage notesEdit

  • Adjectives often applied to "behavior": human, animal, physical, chemical, mechanical, electrical, organizational, corporate, social, collective, parental, interpersonal, sexual, criminal, appropriate, inappropriate, correct, incorrect, right, wrong, good, bad, acceptable, unacceptable, poor, ethical, unethical, moral, immoral, responsible, irresponsible, normal, odd, deviant, abnormal, violent, abusive, aggressive, offensive, defensive, rude, stupid, undesirable, verbal, nonverbal, learned, professional, unprofessional, adaptive, compulsive, questionable, assertive, disgusting, self-destructive, surreal.

Derived termsEdit

Related termsEdit

TranslationsEdit

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Further readingEdit