behavior Synonyms & Antonyms
Choose a meaning, then find a word that fits your sentence.
Behavior as a Noun
Human conduct relative to social norms.
An inappropriate or forbidden action.
When a patient has a behavior, document it in their records.
The way or manner a living creature behaves or acts generally.
A state of probation about one's conduct.
He was on his best behavior when her family visited.
An observable response produced by an organism.
The way a device or system operates.
The way a living creature behaves or acts generally.
An instance of the way a living creature behaves.
Observable response produced by an organism.
Behavior in a Sentence
When a patient has a behavior, document it in their records.
He was on his best behavior when her family visited.
Word Forms & Grammar
behavior (usually uncountable, plural behaviors)
Words That Rhyme With Behavior
Origin of Behavior
Origin 1: From Middle English behavoure, behaver, from behaven (modern behave), morphologically equivalent to behave + -ior. The suffix was adopted in imitation of havour (modern haviour, havior), an etymologically unrelated word that was corrupted from Anglo‐Norman Anglo-Norman aveir and Old French Old French avoir (“property, wealth”) through false association with the native English verb have. The French term derives ultimately from Latin Latin habēre (“to have, hold”).
Origin 2: Compare Scots havings (“behavior”), from have (“to behave”). Replaced Old English ġebǣru.
Behavior at a Glance
| Part of speech | noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /bɪˈheɪ.vjə/ |
| Syllables | 3 |
| Meaning | Human conduct relative to social norms |
| Plural | behaviors |
Behavior Pronunciation
You say behavior as /bɪˈheɪ.vjə/. It has 3 syllables, with the main stress on the second syllable (heɪ).