etiquette

[ et-i-kit, -ket ]
/ ˈɛt ɪ kɪt, -ˌkɛt /

noun

conventional requirements as to social behavior; proprieties of conduct as established in any class or community or for any occasion.
a prescribed or accepted code of usage in matters of ceremony, as at a court or in official or other formal observances.
the code of ethical behavior regarding professional practice or action among the members of a profession in their dealings with each other: medical etiquette.

Origin of etiquette

1740–50; < French étiquette, Middle French estiquette ticket, memorandum, derivative of estiqu(i)er to attach, stick < Germanic. See stick2, -ette

SYNONYMS FOR etiquette

1 Etiquette, decorum, propriety imply observance of the formal requirements governing behavior in polite society. Etiquette refers to conventional forms and usages: the rules of etiquette. Decorum suggests dignity and a sense of what is becoming or appropriate for a person of good breeding: a fine sense of decorum. Propriety (usually plural) implies established conventions of morals and good taste: She never fails to observe the proprieties.

Example sentences from the Web for etiquette

British Dictionary definitions for etiquette

etiquette
/ (ˈɛtɪˌkɛt, ˌɛtɪˈkɛt) /

noun

the customs or rules governing behaviour regarded as correct or acceptable in social or official life
a conventional but unwritten code of practice followed by members of any of certain professions or groups medical etiquette

Word Origin for etiquette

C18: from French, from Old French estiquette label, from estiquier to attach; see stick ²