DECOROUS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does decorous mean? 

• DECOROUS (adjective)
  The adjective DECOROUS has 2 senses:

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

2. according with custom or propriety

  Familiarity information: DECOROUS used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DECOROUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct

Context example:

the tete-a-tete was decorous in the extreme

Similar:

in good taste (satisfying generally accepted social or esthetic standards)

sedate; staid (characterized by dignity and propriety)

Also:

proper (marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness)

Antonym:

indecorous (lacking propriety and good taste in manners and conduct)

Derivation:

decorousness; decorum (propriety in manners and conduct)

Sense 2

Meaning:

According with custom or propriety

Synonyms:

becoming; comely; comme il faut; decorous; seemly

Context example:

seemly behavior

Similar:

proper (marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness)

Derivation:

decorousness; decorum (propriety in manners and conduct)

 Context examples 

At once the sapling shot up, and after that gave no more trouble, remaining in the decorous and perpendicular position in which nature had intended it to grow.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Jo couldn't even lose her heart in a decorous manner, but sternly tried to quench her feelings, and failing to do so, led a somewhat agitated life.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Jo dropped a kiss on the top of Mr. Laurence's bald head, and ran up to slip the apology under Laurie's door, advising him through the keyhole to be submissive, decorous, and a few other agreeable impossibilities.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

He had rather imagined that the denoument would take place in the chateau garden by moonlight, and in the most graceful and decorous manner, but it turned out exactly the reverse, for the matter was settled on the lake at noonday in a few blunt words.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)