What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
decorous
Example
The guests were expected to behave in a decorous manner during the wedding ceremony. [decorous: adjective]
Example
She always dressed in a decorous manner for job interviews. [decorous: adverb]
appropriate
Example
It's not appropriate to wear jeans to a job interview. [appropriate: adjective]
Example
He apologized for his inappropriate behavior at the party. [inappropriate: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Appropriate is more commonly used than decorous in everyday language, due to its broader range of applications.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between decorous and appropriate?
Decorous is more formal than appropriate, and is often used in formal writing or speech, while appropriate can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
