behavior
behavior Lexical Profile
behavior Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American The way in which a person or animal acts or conducts oneself, especially toward others or in response to a particular situation.
"The teacher praised the students for their polite behavior during the museum tour."
American The aggregate of observable responses, reactions, or movements made by an organism in any situation, studied systematically in psychology and biology.
"Marine biologists spent months observing the seasonal feeding behaviors of humpback whales."
American The manner in which a machine, substance, phenomenon, or natural system functions, reacts, or operates under specified conditions.
"Engineers tested the aerodynamic behavior of the new aircraft wing in a wind tunnel."
Word Nuance & Usage
Spelled 'behavior' in American English and 'behaviour' in British and Commonwealth English. Usually treated as an uncountable noun in general usage, though the plural 'behaviors' is standard in psychology, ethology, and sociology to refer to specific, observable actions or patterns.
• Rhymes for behavior
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Originated in late Middle English from the verb 'behave' (from 'be-' + 'have', meaning to bear or conduct oneself), blended with the suffix '-our' (later Americanized to '-or') on the model of Old French 'avoir'.