etiquette

etiquette — noun

1. the unwritten rules of polite and respectful behaviour that people in a particul

1.nounB2
Definition

the unwritten rules of polite and respectful behaviour that people in a particular culture, group, or profession are expected to follow

Example

At the formal dinner, Wen placed his napkin on his lap, following proper dining etiquette.

collocation: dining etiquette

The young lawyer quickly learned office etiquette by watching senior colleagues greet clients.

professional context: office etiquette

Common collocations
  • dining etiquette
  • business etiquette
  • professional etiquette
  • social etiquette
  • online etiquette
  • digital etiquette
  • rules of etiquette
  • code of etiquette
  • breach of etiquette
  • observe etiquette
  • follow etiquette
Synonyms
  • protocol

    more formal and rigid; used especially in diplomatic, military, or official settings

  • decorum

    focuses on dignified, correct behaviour in formal situations; slightly more abstract than etiquette

  • manners

    more personal and everyday; refers to an individual's polite habits rather than a social rule system

  • propriety

    the quality of being socially or morally acceptable; more abstract and often used in negative constructions

Antonyms
  • rudeness

    opposite of polite conduct; refers to personal behaviour rather than a system of rules

Grammar Patterns

the etiquette of [activity]

etiquette for [context]

Usage Note

Etiquette is an uncountable noun and is never used with 'a' or 'an'. It is often modified by a preceding noun (dining etiquette, business etiquette) or followed by 'of' to specify the activity (the etiquette of gift-giving, the etiquette of courtroom procedure).

Common Mistakes

I need to learn an etiquette for this situation.
I need to learn the etiquette for this situation.
Etiquette is uncountable and does not take 'a' or 'an'.
He has terrible etiquettes at the table.
He has terrible table manners.
Etiquette describes a shared system of rules, not an individual's habits; use 'manners' for personal behaviour.

Word family

  • etiquettish
    adjectiveC2
  • protocol
    nounB2
  • decorum
    nounC1
  • manners
    nounA2
  • propriety
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Etiquette, protocol, decorum, manners, and propriety all describe socially correct behaviour, but they differ in scope and formality. Etiquette is the broadest term — unwritten rules shared by a group or culture (dining etiquette, business etiquette). Protocol is the most rigid and official: it governs diplomatic ceremonies, military conduct, and formal procedures where any deviation carries consequences. Decorum is more abstract and internal — it suggests controlled, dignified behaviour expected in a formal setting (courtroom decorum). Manners are personal and everyday: holding the door for someone or saying 'please' shows good manners, not necessarily etiquette. Propriety focuses on moral or social appropriateness ('a breach of propriety') and is often used in negative judgments. In short: you learn etiquette, you follow protocol, you maintain decorum, you have manners, and you respect propriety.

protocol ↗decorummannerspropriety

Common collocations

Nouns

  • etiquette guide
  • etiquette book
  • etiquette expert
  • etiquette class
  • etiquette coach

Phrases

  • code of etiquette
  • breach of etiquette
  • rules of etiquette
  • against etiquette

Prepositions

  • etiquette for
  • etiquette of
  • etiquette in

Etymology

FrenchEnglish

Etiquette entered English from French étiquette, which originally meant a label, ticket, or written note. The word travelled through Old French estiquette, from estiquier (to attach or stick). In the 1700s, French royal courts began using étiquette to mean a list of ceremonial rules — because such rules were written on small cards or labels. English borrowed both the word and the social meaning, extending it from court ceremony to any group's unwritten rules of polite conduct.