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Definition of behaviour noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

behaviour

noun
 
/bɪˈheɪvjə(r)/
 
/bɪˈheɪvjər/
(US English behavior)
Idioms
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  1. [uncountable] the way that somebody behaves, especially towards other people
    • good/bad behaviour
    • social/sexual/criminal behaviour
    • a plan to tackle antisocial behaviour
    • behaviour towards somebody His behaviour towards me was becoming more and more hostile.
    • She began to exhibit violent behaviour.
    • I noticed a change in his behaviour.
    • It is hard to change old patterns of behaviour.
    Extra Examples
    • He had his jail term cut for good behaviour.
    • I know you were upset, but that doesn't excuse your behaviour.
    • Parents can influence the behaviour of their children.
    • Teachers can't always respond effectively to problem behaviour.
    • a report of suspicious behaviour
    • his behaviour towards his parents
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • exemplary
    • good
    • acceptable
    verb + behaviour/​behavior
    • affect
    • control
    • influence
    behaviour/​behavior + noun
    • pattern
    • modification
    • issues
    preposition
    • behaviour towards/​toward
    phrases
    • behaviour and attitudes
    • be on your best behaviour
    • a code of behaviour
    See full entry
  2. [uncountable, countable] the way a person, an animal, a plant, a chemical, etc. behaves or functions in a particular situation
    • studying human and animal behaviour
    • the behaviour of dolphins/chromosomes
    • Quantum theory describes the behaviour of subatomic particles.
    • Animals in zoos often display disturbed behaviour.
    • Several factors influence dietary behaviour.
    • Changing consumer behaviour will take some time.
    • Activity near the birds' nest is bound to affect their behaviour.
    • (specialist) to study learned behaviours
    • the effects of social media on attitudes and behaviours
    • aggressive/negative/unacceptable/violent behaviours
    • They encourage patients to adopt healthy behaviours.
    Topics Animalsa2, Biologya2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • exemplary
    • good
    • acceptable
    verb + behaviour/​behavior
    • affect
    • control
    • influence
    behaviour/​behavior + noun
    • pattern
    • modification
    • issues
    preposition
    • behaviour towards/​toward
    phrases
    • behaviour and attitudes
    • be on your best behaviour
    • a code of behaviour
    See full entry
  3. Word Originlate Middle English: from behave, on the pattern of demeanour, and influenced by obsolete haviour from have.
Idioms
be on your best behaviour
  1. to behave in the most polite way you can
See behaviour in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
perspective
noun
 
 
From the Word list
Oxford 3000
B2
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