English

Alternative forms

• behavior (US)
• behavoure, behavier, behavor, behavour (obsolete)

Noun

behaviour ‎(usually uncountable, plural behaviours) (British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand spelling)

1. The way a living creature behaves or acts.

   She can't stop the strange behaviour because she has OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).

   • 2014, A teacher, "Choosing a primary school: a teacher's guide for parents", The Guardian, 23 September 2014:

     Teachers will probably be on their best behaviour for your visit – but don't be upset if they don't even notice you; they've got enough going on.

2. The way a device or system operates.

Usage notes

• Adjectives often applied to "behaviour" include: 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

Derived terms

• human behaviour

Translations