Behavior

Pronunciation

• GenAm IPA: bəˈheɪvjÉš
• RP IPA: bəˈheɪvjÉ™

Alternative forms

• behaviour (everywhere except US)
• behavoure, behavier, behaver, behavor, behavour

Origin

From behave + -ior, apparently in simulation of havior, haviour, havour. Compare Scots havings ("behavior"), from have ("to behave").

Full definition of behavior

Noun

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 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 notes

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.

Related terms