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behaviour

Pronunciation: /bɪˈheɪvjə/
(US behavior)
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Definition of behaviour

noun

[mass noun]
  • the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially towards others:he will vouch for her good behaviour his insulting behaviour towards me [as modifier]:behaviour patterns [count noun]:management is a set of techniques and behaviours for getting things done
  • the way in which an animal or person behaves in response to a particular situation or stimulus:the feeding behaviour of predators
  • the way in which a machine or natural phenomenon works or functions:the erratic behaviour of the old car

Phrases

be on one's best behaviour

behave well in a social situation or when being observed: warn them to be on their best behaviour

Origin:

late Middle English: from behave, on the pattern of demeanour, and influenced by obsolete haviour from have

Spelling help

Remember that the ending of behaviour is -our (the spelling behavior is American).

behaviour in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of behaviour in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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