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Definition 2024


behaviour

behaviour

See also: behavior

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).
  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.

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