netiquette

noun

net·​i·​quette ˈne-ti-kət 

-ˌket

: etiquette governing communication on the Internet

Did you know?

When the first computer networks were being developed in the 1950s and 60s, few people could have predicted the extent to which the Internet would revolutionize our culture - and our language. These days, you don't have to be a computernik (a computer expert or enthusiast) or a mouse potato (someone who spends a great deal of time using a computer) to be familiar with words like "blog," "download," or the verb "google." And even "computerphobes" are likely to know that in modern jargon, a "mouse" isn't necessarily a small furry rodent and the newest "virus" may be more of a threat to your computer than to your health. "Netiquette," a blend of "net" (as in "Internet") and "etiquette," joined our language in the late 1980s.

Examples of netiquette in a Sentence

Writing an e-mail message in all capital letters is considered a breach of netiquette because it looks like you are shouting.

Recent Examples on the Web

Seven addressed matters of basic netiquette — respect, courtesy, bullying, privacy, solicitation (both kinds). —New York Times, 27 Oct. 2021

Word History

Etymology

blend of net and etiquette

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

netiquette

noun

net·​i·​quette ˈnet-i-kət 

-ˌket

: etiquette governing communication on the Internet