behaviour

behaviour
be‧hav‧iour S2 W1 British English, behavior American English /bɪˈheɪvjə $ -ər/ noun [uncountable]1. the things that a person or animal does:
    It is important to reward good behaviour.
    behaviour towards
    She complained of her boss’s inappropriate behavior towards her.
    the effects of alcohol on human behaviour
2. be on your best behaviour to behave as well and politely as you can in order to please someone:
    I want you both to be on your best behaviour at Grandad’s.
3. the things that something in science normally does
    behaviour of
    the behaviour of human chromosomes
—behavioural adjective:
    behavioural science
—behaviourally adverb
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ adjectives
   ▪ good/bad The boys were suspended from school for bad behaviour. | His good behaviour did not last long.
   ▪ normal/abnormal They thought their son’s behaviour was perfectly normal. | Were there any signs of abnormal behaviour?
   ▪ aggressive/violent/threatening His behavior became increasingly violent.
   ▪ antisocial antisocial behaviour such as spitting and swearing in public
   ▪ acceptable/unacceptable This sort of behavior is completely unacceptable.
   ▪ appropriate/inappropriate formal (=suitable/not suitable for that situation) Within the official school framework there are penalties for inappropriate behaviour.
   ▪ human/animal behaviour the scientific study of human behaviour | detailed observations of animal behaviour
   ▪ criminal behaviour There are many theories as to what causes criminal behaviour.
   ▪ sexual behaviour a survey of human sexual behaviour
■ behaviour + NOUN
   ▪ behaviour problems She teaches children with behaviour problems.
■ phrases
   ▪ standards of behaviour declining standards of behaviour among young people | It’s a parent’s job to instruct children in acceptable standards of behaviour.
   ▪ a pattern of behaviour Different patterns of behaviour exist in different cultures.
■ verbs
   ▪ change your behaviour (also modify your behaviour formal) He has no reason to change his behaviour.
   ▪ influence sb’s behaviour The genes we inherit influence our behaviour.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ behaviour British English, behavior American English the way someone behaves: Chemicals added to food may be responsible for children’s bad behaviour. | Tatsuya apologized for his behaviour towards me.
   ▪ conduct formal the way someone behaves in public or in their job – used mainly in official or legal contexts: Bates was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct (=noisy and violent). | The committee found him guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct.
   ▪ manner the way someone behaves when they are talking to or dealing with other people, which is shown in their expression, their voice etc: She had a pleasant friendly manner. | Suddenly his whole manner changed, and he started shouting. | His initial manner towards her had been rather formal.
   ▪ demeanour British English, demeanor American English formal the way someone looks and behaves, which shows you something about their character or feelings: She maintained a calm demeanour at all times. | Wenger’s demeanour suggested that he was not happy with the situation.
   ▪ antics someone’s behaviour – used when you think it is silly, funny, strange, or annoying: The drunken antics of some English football fans has brought shame on the country. | The actor is becoming known for his increasingly bizarre off-screen antics.