Behavour vs. Behavior: Which Spelling is Correct?

If you are looking for the correct spelling, here it is: Behavior is the only correct spelling in standard American English.

The word ends in "-ior" without a "u" (B-E-H-A-V-I-O-R). Spelling it as "behavour" is universally considered a grammatical error in American writing. If you struggle with this word, you are not alone—it is frequently misspelled due to confusion between American and British English conventions, as well as its tricky pronunciation.

Notice how the base word "behave" transforms into "behavior". The "e" is dropped, an "i" is added, and American English uses the simple "-or" ending.

To understand why the "u" is missing, we have to look at the history of American English. The word comes from the root "behave" combined with the suffix "-ior" (from Latin, denoting a state or condition). In British English, the Old French influence added a "u" to create "behaviour".

Noah Webster, the father of American English spelling, intentionally simplified many words in the early 1800s. He dropped the "u" from words like "colour," "flavour," and "behaviour" to make American spelling more logical and distinct from British spelling. Thus, "behavior" was born.

However, some writers mistakenly drop the "i" while keeping the "u" (behavour), creating a hybrid word that is incorrect in both American and British English. To spell it correctly in the US, remember to keep the "i" and drop the "u".

• Good behavior
• Bad behavior
• Behavioral health
• Animal behavior
• Behavior pattern
• Modify behavior
• Erratic behavior
• Social behavior

In daily conversation, "behavior" is often used to describe how someone is acting, whether good or bad. For example, telling a child, "I expect better behavior at the grocery store" sets a clear standard. It is a common word used to police social interactions and personal habits.

• Her strange behavior at the dinner party made everyone uncomfortable.
• The toddler's tantrum was typical behavior for a child denied a toy.
• We decided to leave the theater early because of the disruptive behavior of the teenagers.
• Apologizing for bad behavior shows maturity and respect for others.
• The dog's aggressive behavior forced the mail carrier to use a spray deterrent.

In academic writing, "behavior" is a foundational term in psychology, sociology, and biology. It refers to the observable actions of a subject under specific conditions. For instance, "The longitudinal study tracks the foraging behavior of primates across changing seasons."

• The study links poor sleep directly to aggressive daytime behavior.
• Psychologists observed the children's behavior during free play to diagnose ADHD.
• Biologists are tracking the migratory behavior of monarch butterflies this season.
• Climate change has drastically altered the breeding behavior of marine life.
• Understanding antisocial behavior requires looking at environmental factors.

In business contexts, "behavior" is essential for discussing workplace culture and market trends. Human Resources monitors "professional behavior," while marketing teams analyze "consumer behavior." It sounds much more analytical than saying "how people act."

• The HR department strictly enforces policies against harassing behavior in the office.
• Consumer behavior data shows a massive shift toward online shopping this year.
• Her leadership style encourages collaborative behavior among team members.
• Understanding market behavior is crucial for launching a new product successfully.
• The code of conduct outlines the expected professional behavior for all executives.