behaviour

Everyday

1. The way a person or animal acts, especially how good or bad, polite or rude it is. tree →
2. The way something such as a material, an animal group or a machine usually acts or reacts. tree →

In the lessons

At school, behaviour means following the rules: «good behaviour» earns praise, «bad behaviour» gets a warning; classrooms have behaviour charts. In science, scientists watch animal behaviour (how bees dance, how birds migrate) and the behaviour of materials when heated. In everyday life and safety, strange behaviour of a dog (growling, stiff body) is a warning sign. Phrases: «good/bad behaviour», «on your best behaviour», «behaviour chart», «animal behaviour».

Examples

• The class got a reward for good behaviour. tree →
• Be on your best behaviour at Grandma's party. tree →
• Shouting at people is rude behaviour. tree →
• Scientists study the behaviour of ants. tree →
• The dog's behaviour changed when it was ill. tree →
• His behaviour in the library was excellent. tree →
• We watched the behaviour of ice as it warmed up. tree →
• Pushing in the queue is unkind behaviour. tree →
• "No; but I am very much annoyed at the strange behaviour of a fish. tree →

Note

British spelling «behaviour»; American «behavior». Usually uncountable: «good behaviour», not «a good behaviour»; scientists sometimes say «behaviours». The verb is «behave» (behave, behaved): «Behave yourself!» means «Be good!».