etiquette

noun

et·​i·​quette ˈe-ti-kət 

-ˌket

: the conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life

Did you know?

If you’re looking for a polite topic of conversation to raise at your next gathering of word lovers, we’ve got just the ticket. The French word étiquette means “ticket”; its direct French ancestor also referred to a label attached to something for description or identification. Spaniards of the 16th-century adopted the French word (altering it to etiqueta), and used it to refer to the written protocols describing the behavior demanded of those who appeared at court. Eventually, etiqueta came to be applied to the court ceremonies themselves as well as to the documents which outlined their requirements. Word of this linguistic development got back to the French, who then expanded their word’s meaning to include “proper court behavior” along with its “label” sense. By the middle of the 18th century English speakers had taken on etiquette as their own, applying it to the rules that indicate the proper and polite way to behave, whether in the presence or royalty or not.

Synonyms

• form
• manner
• mores
• proprieties

Examples of etiquette in a Sentence

Her failure to respond to the invitation was a serious breach of etiquette.

the couple exhibited poor etiquette when they left the party without saying good-bye to the host and hostess

Recent Examples on the Web

Giving cash doesn’t have to be awkward Despite popular convention that cash presents are gauche, tacky, or uninspired, Post says the annals of etiquette wisdom permit monetary gifts. —Allie Volpe, Vox, 19 Nov. 2024

What to Do Before an Estate Sale Familiarize Yourself with the Rules Sometimes, a little research ahead of time can save you from an embarrassing—and likely unintentional—etiquette faux pas. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2024

That comes through in all sorts of ways, like their strict adherence to a flag-pulling etiquette. —Eileen T. Meslar, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2024

Others brought up the fact that three-months notice is simply bad wedding etiquette in today’s busy world. —Toria Sheffield, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French étiquette, literally, ticket — more at ticket entry 1

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

etiquette

noun

et·​i·​quette ˈet-i-kət 

-ˌket

: the rules governing the proper way to behave

Etymology

from French étiquette "etiquette," literally, "ticket," from earlier etiquet "ticket" — related to ticket