Etiquette Terminology

noun a fashionable or stylish manner or quality, especially in dress or behavior

• It is important to adhere to the rules of bon ton when attending formal events.
• She always has impeccable bon ton when it comes to table manners.
• I can't stand people who have bad bon ton at parties.
• His sense of bon ton in social situations is unmatched.

noun the quality of being polite and well-mannered, especially in a formal or royal setting

• Her courtliness and grace were admired by all who attended the royal ball.
• She always carries herself with such courtliness, even in casual settings.
• Who knew that behind his tough exterior, he had a touch of courtliness?
• The courtliness of his words masked the true intentions behind his actions.

adjective Behaving in a manner that is socially acceptable and proper; characterized by good taste and propriety.

• The decorous attire of the guests at the gala added to the elegance of the event.
• She always makes sure her house is decorous before guests come over.
• I can't believe how decorous his outfit is, he must have spent hours picking it out.
• His decorous behavior in public hides the chaos he feels inside.

noun the way in which a person behaves or conducts themselves, especially in terms of manners and etiquette

• Her deportment at the diplomatic event was impeccable, showcasing grace and poise.
• His deportment at the party was a bit sloppy, he kept spilling drinks everywhere.
• I can't stand her deportment, she's always acting like she's better than everyone else.
• The artist's brushstrokes on the canvas displayed a unique deportment, capturing the essence of emotion.

verb to refuse or fail to do something that is requested or expected

• It would greatly disoblige me if you were unable to attend the meeting.
• I hope I'm not going to disoblige you by asking for a favor.
• I don't want to disoblige you, but can you cover my shift tonight?
• His refusal to help disoblige his friends left them feeling disappointed.

noun a tactless or clumsy act

• Her gaucherie at the dinner party was quite noticeable, as she spilled her drink on the host's lap.
• I couldn't help but cringe at his gaucherie when he accidentally insulted the bride's dress.
• Man, her gaucherie was off the charts last night when she tripped and knocked over the entire dessert table.
• His gaucherie in handling the delicate situation only made matters worse, causing more tension among the group.

adjective referring to or characteristic of the upper class or a refined upbringing; polite, refined, or respectable in an affected or ostentatious way

• The genteel lady greeted everyone at the party with a warm smile.
• She comes from a very genteel family, always hosting elegant dinners.
• That new boutique is so genteel, I love their trendy clothes.
• His writing style is very genteel, with a touch of sophistication and grace.

noun a man of good social position, especially one of wealth and leisure

adjective referring to qualities traditionally associated with a gentleman, such as courtesy and chivalry

• The gentleman requested a meeting to discuss the business proposal.
• That gentleman over there is always willing to help out.
• Check out that gentleman with the slick haircut.
• He was a true gentleman, always putting others before himself.

adjective An adjective describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. In this case, 'ill-bred' describes someone who lacks good manners or proper upbringing.

• The ill-bred behavior of the guests was quite evident during the dinner party.
• I can't believe how ill-bred some people can be in public.
• Those ill-bred kids have no manners at all.
• His ill-bred attitude towards others will only lead to trouble in the long run.

adjective having the qualities traditionally associated with a woman of good breeding, manners, and behavior; refined and well-mannered

• She always conducts herself in a very ladylike manner, with impeccable manners and grace.
• She may not always be ladylike, but she sure knows how to have a good time.
• She's not exactly the most ladylike person you'll meet, but she's a lot of fun to be around.
• Her ladylike demeanor belies a fierce determination and strength underneath.

noun a way in which a thing is done or happens; method

• His manner of speaking was very refined and eloquent.
• She always acts in a polite manner towards others.
• I can't stand the way he talks, his manner is so annoying.
• The manner in which she handled the situation was like a graceful dance.

adjective showing good manners; polite

• The mannered gentleman greeted everyone with a polite bow.
• She's always been well-mannered, even when no one else is.
• That dude is so uptight and mannered, he needs to loosen up.
• The painting was mannered in its execution, lacking spontaneity and energy.

adjective showing good manners; polite

• She always conducts herself in a very mannerly way, showing respect to everyone she meets.
• He's so mannerly, always holding the door open for others without being asked.
• I appreciate when people are mannerly, it shows they were raised right.
• The way she gracefully navigates through difficult situations is truly mannerly.

noun the condition of being right, appropriate, or fitting

• It is important to always adhere to the proprieties of etiquette in social settings.
• She doesn't care much about the proprieties when it comes to table manners.
• Who cares about all those proprieties, let's just have fun!
• The artist's work challenged the proprieties of traditional art forms.

adjective A well-bred person or animal is polite and has good manners as a result of being brought up in a good family or a good environment.

• The well-bred gentleman always displayed impeccable manners at social gatherings.
• She comes from a well-bred family, so she knows how to act in high society.
• That guy may act tough, but he's actually quite well-bred when it comes to etiquette.
• The well-bred roses in the garden added an air of sophistication to the landscape.

adjective describing someone who lacks good manners or behaves rudely

• The guest was quite bad-mannered, speaking loudly during the formal dinner.
• I can't stand hanging out with that bad-mannered guy, he's always interrupting people.
• She's so bad-mannered, always cutting in line like she owns the place.
• His bad-mannered behavior left a sour taste in everyone's mouth.

noun formal politeness or courteous behavior

adjective polite or courteous

• Her politesse and grace were evident in every interaction she had.
• He showed great politesse by holding the door open for the elderly woman.
• I appreciate your politesse in not calling me out in front of everyone.
• The politesse of his words masked the true intentions behind them.