behaviour
gb/bɪhˈeɪvjɚ/ us/bɪhˈeɪvjɚ/
A2
English
~ 800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Manner of acting or conducting oneself
The way someone or an animal acts.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s behaviour towards [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'behaviour' with 'attitude'; 'attitude' is about feelings or opinions, while 'behaviour' is about actions.
Synonyms
conduct (Slightly more formal; often used in professional or legal contexts.)
|
demeanour (Refers more to outward manner and appearance than actions.)
Antonyms
misconduct (Refers to unacceptable or improper behaviour, often in formal contexts.)
Collocations
good behaviour
|bad behaviour
|strange behaviour
|social behaviour
|animal behaviour
Themes
daily life
|psychology
|emotions
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her friendly behaviour made everyone feel welcome.
- The teacher praised the students for their good behaviour.
- Aggressive behaviour can be dangerous in dogs.
- His behaviour at the meeting was very professional.
- The child's behaviour improved after the talk with his parents.
Learner examples
- The dog's behaviour is very calm.
- Her behaviour in class is good.
- I like his kind behaviour.
- Bad behaviour is not okay.
- The baby's behaviour is funny.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
2
Response of system or substance
How a machine, system, or substance works or reacts in certain situations.
Usage pattern:
the behaviour of [something] under [conditions]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with human behaviour; context usually clarifies it.
Synonyms
performance (Focuses more on effectiveness rather than pattern of action.)
Collocations
material behaviour
|system behaviour
|chemical behaviour
|market behaviour
Themes
science
|technology
Examples
- The behaviour of the metal changes at high temperatures.
- Engineers studied the bridge's behaviour during strong winds.
- We are analysing the software's behaviour under heavy load.
- The chemical's behaviour in water is unusual.
Learner examples
- The machine's behaviour is strange today.
- This metal's behaviour changes in heat.
- We test the car's behaviour in snow.
- The software's behaviour is slow now.
Grammar
Dictionary form
behaviour
IPA
GB/bɪhˈeɪvjɚ/
US/bɪhˈeɪvjɚ/
Syllables & stress
be - ha - viour (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ha)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: behaviour
- Variant Spelling: behavior
- Plural: behaviour, behaviours
Word family
Forms
behavior
noun A2
behaviours
noun
Core family
behave
verb A2
behavioural
adjective B2
Related words
behaviourally
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
misbehave
verb
misbehaviour
noun
Highlights
- Spelling Variant: behavior Noun
Expressions
correct bad behaviour
1/kɚˈɛkt bˈæd bɪhˈeɪvjɚ/
fixed phrase
Change improper actions to proper ones
To make someone stop doing wrong things and act better.
Examples
- The school has programs to correct bad behaviour.
- Parents must correct bad behaviour early.
on your best behaviour
1/ˈɔn jˈʊɹ bˈɛst bɪhˈeɪvjɚ/
fixed phrase
Acting as politely as possible
To act in the most polite and proper way you can.
Examples
- Please be on your best behaviour when we visit Grandma.
- He was on his best behaviour during the job interview.
reward good behaviour
1/ɹɪwˈɔɹd ɡˈʊd bɪhˈeɪvjɚ/
fixed phrase
Praise or reward proper actions
To give something nice to someone who acts well.
Examples
- Parents should reward good behaviour in children.
- The teacher rewards good behaviour with stickers.
behavioural science
1/bɪhˈeɪvjuɹəl sˈaɪəns/
fixed phrase
technical
science that studies behaviour
A field of science that studies how people and animals behave and why they behave in certain ways.
Examples
- She has a degree in behavioural science.
- She is doing a master’s degree in behavioural science.
- Behavioural science helps us understand social problems.
- Behavioural science has become important in designing public health campaigns.