Decorum vs. Etiquette — What's the Difference?

Decorum (from the Latin: "right, proper") was a principle of classical rhetoric, poetry and theatrical theory concerning the fitness or otherwise of a style to a theatrical subject. The concept of decorum is also applied to prescribed limits of appropriate social behavior within set situations.

Etiquette ( and ; French: [e.ti.kɛt]) is the set of conventional rules of personal behaviour in polite society, usually in the form of an ethical code that delineates the expected and accepted social behaviours that accord with the conventions and norms observed by a society, a social class, or a social group. In modern English usage, the French word étiquette (ticket) dates from the year 1750.

Appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety

The customary code of polite behaviour in society or among members of a particular profession or group

Decorums The conventions or requirements of polite behavior

The practices and forms prescribed by social convention or by authority.

The appropriateness of an element of an artistic or literary work, such as style or tone, to its particular circumstance or to the composition as a whole.

The forms required by a good upbringing, or prescribed by authority, to be observed in social or official life; observance of the proprieties of rank and occasion; conventional decorum; ceremonial code of polite society.

(uncountable) Appropriate social behavior.

The customary behavior of members of a profession, business, law, or sports team towards each other.

(countable) A convention of social behavior.

A label used to indicate that a letter is to be sent by airmail.

Propriety of manner or conduct; grace arising from suitableness of speech and behavior to one's own character, or to the place and occasion; decency of conduct; seemliness; that which is seemly or suitable.

The forms required by good breeding, or prescribed by authority, to be observed in social or official life; observance of the proprieties of rank and occasion; conventional decorum; ceremonial code of polite society.

Propriety in manners and conduct

Rules governing socially acceptable behavior