misbehaviour
|mis-be-hav-iour|
🇺🇸
/ˌmɪs.bɪˈheɪ.vjɚ/
🇬🇧
/ˌmɪs.bɪˈheɪ.vjə/
bad or improper conduct
Etymology
'misbehaviour' originates from English elements: the prefix 'mis-' (meaning 'wrong' or 'bad') combined with 'behaviour', which comes from the verb 'behave'.
'behaviour' comes from Middle English 'behaviour' from the verb 'behaven' (Middle English), ultimately from Old French 'behaivor'/'behaivre' formed with the prefix 'be-' plus a root related to Old English 'habban' meaning 'to have'. The prefix 'mis-' is an Old English/Old Norse-derived negative prefix. The compound 'misbehaviour' arose in Early Modern English by adding 'mis-' to 'behaviour'.
Initially 'behave' had senses related to 'have oneself' or 'conduct oneself'; attaching 'mis-' produced the sense 'to conduct oneself badly'. Over time 'misbehaviour' has come to denote a range of bad or improper conduct from childish naughtiness to formal professional misconduct.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
improper, bad, or unacceptable behaviour, especially by a child or person in a setting such as school or at home.
The child's misbehaviour disrupted the class.
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Noun 2
professional or official wrongdoing; conduct that violates rules, standards, or ethical codes (used in formal or legal contexts).
The committee investigated allegations of professional misbehaviour.
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Noun 3
failure to act in accordance with rules or expectations; general disorderly or inappropriate conduct in a group or institution.
Persistent misbehaviour among students led to new disciplinary policies.
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Last updated: 2026/01/21 19:57