This etiquette 1 vocabulary lesson will help you use the words etiquette, formal, polite, behaviour, manners, offend, rude, tact, faux pas and uncouth, correctly.
(–) etiquette uncountable noun a set of rules of polite behaviour in different situations
- The waiter’s understanding of etiquette seemed to be very different from their own.
formal adjective an official or serious situation or occasion
- Mr. Bond was dressed for a formal evening.
polite adjective behaving towards other people in a good way that follows all the usual rules of society
- Ronny was always polite to Mrs. Jones, but he didn’t like her.
(–) behaviour uncountable noun the way in which someone acts towards other people
- Walking with a book on your head helps make your behaviour better.
(–) manners plural noun polite social behaviour and habits
- Kissing a lady on the hand shows you have good manners.
offend verb to make someone unhappy and angry
- Using your fingers to eat your food is likely to offend some people.
rude adjective not polite
- Eating soup can sometimes make rude noises.
(–) tact uncountable noun a careful way of speaking or behaving so that you don’t upset other people
- Melissa always showed great tact when gossiping.
(a) faux pas noun words or behaviour that are a social mistake
- John’s faux pas shocked Marilyn.
uncouth adjective rude or offensive behaviour
- Loud talking on a phone is uncouth.
Now watch the video lesson and then do the Etiquette 1 · exercise