Behavioral
/bɪˈheɪvjərəl/
adjectiveIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
Of or relating to the way in which a person or animal acts in response to a particular situation or stimulus.
/bɪˈheɪvjərəl/
adjectiveneutralIntermediate
General
Relating to behavior
The study examined the behavioral patterns of primates.
💡 Simply: Describing actions or reactions.
More Examples
2
Behavioral science explores human and animal actions.
How It's Used
Psychology
"Behavioral therapy focuses on changing observable behaviors."
Education
"Behavioral issues in the classroom require careful attention."
From "behavior" + "-al", ultimately deriving from Old French "behaver" (to behave, carry oneself) and Latin "habere" (to have, hold).
The word's usage has increased significantly with the rise of behavioral sciences in the 20th century.
Memory tip
Think of 'behaving' – this adjective describes things related to how someone or something behaves.
Practice
Base: behavior
behaviorialbehaviourial
Usage
30%Spoken
70%Written