be ‧ hav ‧ iour S2 W1 BrE AmE British English , behavior American English /bɪˈheɪvjə $ -ər/ noun [uncountable]
[ Word Family: noun : BEHAVIOUR/BEHAVIOR , MISBEHAVIOUR/MISBEHAVIOR , BEHAVIOURISM/BEHAVIORISM , BEHAVIOURIST/BEHAVIORIST ; verb : ↑ behave , ↑ misbehave ; adverb : BEHAVIOURALLY/BEHAVIORALLY ; adjective : BEHAVIOURAL/BEHAVIORAL ]
1 . the things that a person or animal does:
It is important to reward good behaviour.
behaviour towards
She complained of her boss’s inappropriate behavior towards her.
the effects of alcohol on human behaviour
2 . be on your best behaviour to behave as well and politely as you can in order to please someone:
I want you both to be on your best behaviour at Grandad’s.
3 . the things that something in science normally does
behaviour of
the behaviour of human chromosomes
—behavioural adjective :
behavioural science
—behaviourally adverb
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ good/bad
The boys were suspended from school for bad behaviour.
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His good behaviour did not last long.
▪ normal/abnormal
They thought their son’s behaviour was perfectly normal.
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Were there any signs of abnormal behaviour?
▪ aggressive/violent/threatening
His behavior became increasingly violent.
▪ antisocial
antisocial behaviour such as spitting and swearing in public
▪ acceptable/unacceptable
This sort of behavior is completely unacceptable.
▪ appropriate/inappropriate formal (=suitable/not suitable for that situation)
Within the official school framework there are penalties for inappropriate behaviour.
▪ human/animal behaviour
the scientific study of human behaviour
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detailed observations of animal behaviour
▪ criminal behaviour
There are many theories as to what causes criminal behaviour.
▪ sexual behaviour
a survey of human sexual behaviour
■ behaviour + NOUN
▪ behaviour problems
She teaches children with behaviour problems.
■ phrases
▪ standards of behaviour
declining standards of behaviour among young people
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It’s a parent’s job to instruct children in acceptable standards of behaviour.
▪ a pattern of behaviour
Different patterns of behaviour exist in different cultures.
■ verbs
▪ change your behaviour ( also modify your behaviour formal )
He has no reason to change his behaviour.
▪ influence sb’s behaviour
The genes we inherit influence our behaviour.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ behaviour British English , behavior American English the way someone behaves:
Chemicals added to food may be responsible for children’s bad behaviour.
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Tatsuya apologized for his behaviour towards me.
▪ conduct formal the way someone behaves in public or in their job – used mainly in official or legal contexts:
Bates was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct (=noisy and violent) .
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The committee found him guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct.
▪ manner the way someone behaves when they are talking to or dealing with other people, which is shown in their expression, their voice etc:
She had a pleasant friendly manner.
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Suddenly his whole manner changed, and he started shouting.
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His initial manner towards her had been rather formal.
▪ demeanour British English , demeanor American English formal the way someone looks and behaves, which shows you something about their character or feelings:
She maintained a calm demeanour at all times.
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Wenger’s demeanour suggested that he was not happy with the situation.
▪ antics someone’s behaviour – used when you think it is silly, funny, strange, or annoying:
The drunken antics of some English football fans has brought shame on the country.
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The actor is becoming known for his increasingly bizarre off-screen antics.