behaviour
[noun]
Synonyms:
- conduct, actions, bearing, demeanour, deportment, manner, manners, ways
- action, functioning, operation, performance

---

English Thesaurus: action, act, act of violence/kindness/defiance etc, activities, behaviour, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

be‧hav‧iour S2 W1 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

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

behaviour
noun
ADJ. exemplary, good He had his jail term cut for good behaviour.
acceptable | antisocial, bad, unacceptable, undesirable | deviant, problem Teachers can't always respond effectively to problem behaviour.
normal | strange | aggressive, criminal, disruptive, violent | animal, human, sexual, social
VERB + BEHAVIOUR control, influence Parents can influence the behaviour of their children.
alter, change, modify | display, exhibit, show Animals in zoos often display disturbed behaviour.
BEHAVIOUR + NOUN pattern
PREP. ~ towards his behaviour towards his parents
PHRASES behaviour and attitudes, be on your best behaviour (= to behave very well in order to impress sb), a code of behaviour, a pattern of behaviour, standards of behaviour a new study looking at the behaviour and attitudes of young men

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

behaviour

good/bad
The boys were suspended from school for bad behaviour.
His good behaviour did not last long.
normal/abnormal
They thought their son’s behaviour was perfectly normal.
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
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 problems
She teaches children with behaviour problems.
standards of behaviour
declining standards of behaviour among young people
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.
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.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

behaviour
noun
1.
BAD: We were surprised by their peculiar behaviours.
GOOD: We were surprised by their peculiar behaviour.
BAD: Such a behaviour can easily cause offence.
GOOD: Such behaviour can easily cause offence.

Usage Note:
Behaviour is an uncountable noun.

---

2.
BAD: Sometimes Juan has a very strange behaviour.
GOOD: Sometimes Juan behaves very strangely.
GOOD: Sometimes Juan's behaviour is very strange.
BAD: There are very few people having such a behaviour.
GOOD: Very few people behave in such a way.

Usage Note:
Instead of using have + behaviour , use behaviour + be or use the verb behave + adverb: 'His behaviour is atrocious.' 'He behaves atrociously.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

action noun [countable] something that someone does:
He is responsible for his own actions.
They refused to give a reason for their actions.
act noun [countable] a particular type of action:
violent acts
⇒ act of violence/kindness/defiance etc:
I believe the killing was an act of desperation.
activities noun [plural] things that people do, especially for enjoyment or to achieve an aim:
leisure activities
political activities
Surveys may not give a true picture of people’s activities.
behaviour British English, behavior American English noun [uncountable] the things that someone does and the way they behave:
Do you think that advertisements really influence people’s behaviour?
The man’s behaviour seemed rather odd.
move noun [countable] something that you do in order to achieve something:
Her decision to sell the shares had been a smart move.
It’s a bold move to start a business in the current economic climate.
He needed time to figure out his next move.
step noun [countable] one of a series of things that you do in order to deal with a problem or to succeed:
The first step is to make sure we have got funding for the project.
We must take steps to make sure that this does not happen again.
This is an important step towards peace.
measure noun [countable] an official action that is intended to deal with a particular problem:
There are increased security measures at airports.
The school was closed as a precautionary measure following a chemical leak.
gesture noun [countable] something that you do to show how you feel about someone or something:
Do you think it would be a nice gesture to send her some flowers?
⇒ gesture of goodwill/solidarity/defiance:
The company gave us £100 as a gesture of goodwill.
deed noun [countable] especially literary an action, especially one that is very good or very bad:
evil deeds
heroic deeds
This is my good deed for the day.
exploits noun [plural] formal exciting or brave actions:
daring exploits
His exploits were legendary.
feat noun [countable] something someone does that people admire because you need a lot of skill, courage, or strength to do it:
Completing a marathon is a remarkable feat for a six-year-old.
The bridge is a great feat of engineering.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

behaviour British English, behavior American English the way someone behaves:
Chemicals added to food may be responsible for children’s bad behaviour.
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).
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.
Suddenly his whole manner changed, and he started shouting.
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.
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.
The actor is becoming known for his increasingly bizarre off-screen antics.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

do to do something – used in the following phrases: do your work/homework etc:
It usually takes me a couple of hours to do my homework.
⇒ do the shopping/cooking/washing etc:
She’s gone to the supermarket to do the shopping.
⇒ do a test/experiment/some research:
The doctor did some tests.
Fraser spent some time in Egypt doing some archaeological research.
Scientists are doing research on two types of vaccine.
⇒ do a course:
Have you decided which course you want to do at university?
make to do something – used in the following phrases: make a speech:
The Prince made a short speech.
⇒ make a comment/suggestion/joke:
Can I make a suggestion?
⇒ make a decision:
The committee will meet to make their final decision.
⇒ make a mistake:
I think someone has made a mistake.
give to do something – used in the following phrases: give a talk/speech/lecture:
They’ve asked him to give a talk.
⇒ give a performance:
The band gave a brilliant performance.
take to do something – used in the following phrases: take a test/exam:
Kate’s taking her driving test tomorrow.
⇒ take a bath/shower:
I think I’ll go and take a shower.
⇒ take a walk:
Normally, he took a walk in the evenings.
commit to do something that is a crime, especially a serious crime: commit a crime:
The crime was committed in the early hours of the morning.
⇒ commit a robbery/murder etc:
Dixon later admitted committing the robbery.
carry out something to do something – used in the following phrases: carry out your work:
The violence is making it difficult for firefighters to carry out their work.
⇒ carry out a task/duty:
He still managed to carry out his duties.
⇒ carry out a survey/test/some research:
The hospital carries out research into skin diseases.
⇒ carry out an operation:
The operation was carried out at a hospital in Paris.
⇒ carry out a threat/promise:
They didn’t carry out their threat to kill the hostages.
⇒ carry out sb’s orders/instructions/wishes:
I’m sure I can rely on you to carry out my instructions.
perform to do something. Perform is more formal than carry out, and is used in the following phrases: perform a task/duty:
The job mostly involves performing administrative tasks.
⇒ perform an operation:
A team of surgeons performed the operation.
conduct to do something – used in the following phrases: conduct a survey/study/experiment:
They conducted a survey of approximately 2,000 people living in the area.
⇒ conduct an inquiry/investigation:
The police are conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire.
⇒ conduct an interview:
Knowing how to conduct a successful interview is a skill.
⇒ conduct a campaign:
People were unimpressed by the way in which the election campaign was conducted.
go about something to do your work or the things that you usually do, especially when something serious has happened: go about your work/business:
The next day she went about her business as if nothing had happened.
get on with something spoken especially British English to start doing something that you should have started already or to continue doing something that you stopped doing for a short time:
I need to get on with my homework.
be up to something spoken to be doing something that you think is probably bad, although you do not know exactly what it is:
I’m sure they’re up to something.
What’s Jake up to? He’s been upstairs in his room all day.
professional conduct
There are strict rules that regulate lawyers’ professional conduct.
sexual conduct
The politician’s sexual conduct had caused scandal.
violent conduct
Their goalkeeper was sent off the field for violent conduct.
disorderly conduct (=behaving in a noisy or violent way in public)
Her husband was arrested for drunkenness and disorderly conduct.
criminal conduct
In some cases of bullying, pupils may be guilty of criminal conduct.
proper/improper conduct (=correct/incorrect behaviour according to the normal rules or standards)
There was no evidence of improper conduct on the part of the police.
personal conduct
You are expected to maintain a high standard of personal conduct at work.
unsportsmanlike conduct (=behaviour that is not acceptable in a fair competition)
He swore at the referee, and was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.
human conduct
Societies have certain rules for normal human conduct.
a code of conduct (=a set of rules stating how you must behave)
All professions have a code of conduct.
rules/standards of conduct
In war, there are established rules of conduct.
a course of conduct (=a set of actions)
The court said that when Harris had embarked on this course of conduct, he knew that it would put lives at risk.
behaviour British English, behavior American English the way someone behaves:
Chemicals added to food may be responsible for children’s bad behaviour.
Tatsuya apologized for his behaviour towards me.
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.
Suddenly his whole manner changed, and he started shouting.
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.
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.
The actor is becoming known for his increasingly bizarre off-screen antics.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

move to go to a different place, or change the position of your body:
Sarah moved away from the window.
Every time I move I get a pain in my left shoulder.
sway to move slowly from one side to the other:
The branches swayed in the wind.
Donny swayed drunkenly as he walked back to his car.
rock to move repeatedly from one side to another, with small gentle movements:
He rocked backward and forward in his chair.
The boat rocked from side to side with the waves.
wobble to move unsteadily from side to side:
The bike wobbled a bit, but she soon got it under control.
fidget to keep moving or playing with your fingers, hands, feet etc, because you are bored or nervous:
Diana fidgeted nervously with her pencil.
squirm to make very small movements from side to side with your body, especially because you feel uncomfortable:
By the end of the hour, most of the children were squirming in their seats.
wriggle to make small movements from side to side, especially in order to get into or out of something:
The dog wriggled under the fence and escaped into the street.
She managed to wriggle into the dress, but it was much too tight.
twitch if part of your body twitches, it makes small movements that you cannot control:
A muscle on Yang’s face twitched.
stir written to make a movement – used especially when describing a situation in which no one moves, or someone wakes up:
In the village a dog barked but no one stirred
The sleeping child stirred and opened her eyes.
budge to move – used when you are trying hard to make something move, often without success:
The piano wouldn’t budge.
relocate to move to a different place – used about companies, organizations, and people who work for them:
NATO’s main headquarters relocated to Brussels.
Klein is relocating to London to head up the investment banking team.
still not moving – use this especially about people who are not moving, or about places where there is no wind:
There was no wind and the trees were completely still.
Keep still while I tie your shoes.
stationary not moving – use this about cars, trains, or objects:
The truck swerved and hit a stationary vehicle.
immobile not moving or not able to move, especially because of fear or tiredness:
As the disease progressed, she became increasingly immobile.
motionless completely still – used especially in literature:
Kemp sat motionless as the verdict was read.
calm not moving because there is no wind – use this about air and water:
The lake was calm.
be at a standstill if traffic is at a standstill it is not moving:
Traffic was at a standstill on the motorway.
make a move
We made the move mainly for financial reasons.
make no move
The government made no move to hold the promised elections.
welcome the move
Environmentalists welcomed the move to limit the length of fishing nets.
oppose a move
Union members have opposed the move.
support a move
The move was supported by the government.
a move is aimed at doing something/is designed to do something
The move is aimed at strengthening its business in the region.
an important move
I cannot decide on such an important move on my own.
a bold/daring move (=taking a lot of courage)
The writers made a bold move by kiling off the main character.
a good/smart/wise move (=sensible)
I’m not sure it was a good move giving him the job.
the right move
He hoped he had made the right move in telling his father.
an unprecedented move (=never having happened before)
Barcelona began the unprecedented move of shipping in drinking water.
sb’s next move (=the next thing someone does)
What should happen next? What’s our next move?
a bad move
It was a bad move letting him come here in the first place.
a false/wrong move (=made by mistake)
One wrong move and the business might never recover.
the first move
She waited for Michael to make the first move.
a career move (=a decision that will improve the type of job you can do)
It looked like a good career move, with the possibility of promotion later.
there are moves afoot to do something British English (=there are plans, especially secret ones, to do something)
There are moves afoot to change things.
a move in the right direction
The decision seemed to be a move in the right direction.
watch/follow sb’s every move
His eyes followed Cissy’s every move.
a sudden move
She made a sudden move towards me from the doorway.
action noun [countable] something that someone does:
He is responsible for his own actions.
They refused to give a reason for their actions.
act noun [countable] a particular type of action:
violent acts
⇒ act of violence/kindness/defiance etc:
I believe the killing was an act of desperation.
activities noun [plural] things that people do, especially for enjoyment or to achieve an aim:
leisure activities
political activities
Surveys may not give a true picture of people’s activities.
behaviour British English, behavior American English noun [uncountable] the things that someone does and the way they behave:
Do you think that advertisements really influence people’s behaviour?
The man’s behaviour seemed rather odd.
step noun [countable] one of a series of things that you do in order to deal with a problem or to succeed:
The first step is to make sure we have got funding for the project.
We must take steps to make sure that this does not happen again.
This is an important step towards peace.
measure noun [countable] an official action that is intended to deal with a particular problem:
There are increased security measures at airports.
The school was closed as a precautionary measure following a chemical leak.
gesture noun [countable] something that you do to show how you feel about someone or something:
Do you think it would be a nice gesture to send her some flowers?
⇒ gesture of goodwill/solidarity/defiance:
The company gave us £100 as a gesture of goodwill.
deed noun [countable] especially literary an action, especially one that is very good or very bad:
evil deeds
heroic deeds
This is my good deed for the day.
exploits noun [plural] formal exciting or brave actions:
daring exploits
His exploits were legendary.
feat noun [countable] something someone does that people admire because you need a lot of skill, courage, or strength to do it:
Completing a marathon is a remarkable feat for a six-year-old.
The bridge is a great feat of engineering.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲