Behaviour or Behavior | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
Behaviour and behavior are different spellings of the noun used to refer to the way someone or something behaves or acts. The spelling depends on the type of English you use.
- In British English, “behaviour” is standard
- In American English, “behavior” is correct.
It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Logan’s erratic behaviour/behavior raised concerns among his friends and family.
The study of consumer behaviour/behavior is vital for product development.
Behavior or behaviour is often preceded by an attributive noun (e.g., “animal behavior/behaviour”) or an adjective (e.g., “good behavior/behaviour”).
Behavioural or behavioral
The same distinction applies to related forms of the word, such as the adverb behaviourally or behaviorally and the adjective behavioural or behavioral.
- In British English, “behaviourally” and “behavioural” are standard.
- In American English, “behaviorally” and “behavioral” are correct.
The psychologist specializes in behavioural/behavioral issues in children.
Main differences between American and British English
American and British English are very similar, but there are a few main differences in spelling. Five important differences are:
| Difference | Rule | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -or vs -our | In American English, many Latin-derived words end in -or.
In British English, these same words end in -our. |
Behavior or behaviour Labor or labour Favor or favour Favorite or favourite Color or colour Honor or honour |
| -er vs -re | In American English, some French, Latin, or Greek words end in -er.
In British English, these same words end in -re. |
Theater or theatre Center or centre Meter or metre Liter or litre Saber or sabre Fiber or fibre |
| -ize vs -ise | In American English, many Greek-derived words end in -yze or -ize.
In British English, these words end in -yse or -ise. |
Realize or realise Recognize or recognise Analyze or analyse Organisation or organization Minimize or minimise Finalize or finalise |
| -ed vs -t | In American English, most verbs are regular and form their past tense with the suffix -ed.
In British English, some of these verbs are irregular and form their past tense with the suffix -t |
Learned or learnt Burned or burnt Kneeled or knelt Dreamed or dreamt Smelled or smelt Spelled or spelt |
| Single vs double consonant | In American English, many words are spelled with a single consonant.
In British English, these same words are spelled with a double consonant. |
Modeling or modelling Traveling or travelling Canceled or cancelled Labeled or labelled Buses or busses Focused or focussed |
Frequently asked questions about behaviour or behavior
- Is it behavior or behaviour in Canada?
-
Behaviour and behavior are two spellings of the same noun. The spelling depends on the type of English.
- In British English, you use “behaviour.”
- In American English, you use “behavior.”
Canadian English mainly follows UK guidelines, so behaviour is the correct spelling.
The same difference applies to similar words, such as “honor or honour,” “labor or labour,” “favor or favour,” “favorite or favourite,” “color or colour,” and “humor or humour.”
It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
- Is it behavior or behaviour in Australia?
-
Behaviour and behavior are two spellings of the same noun. The spelling depends on the type of English.
- In British English, you use “behaviour.”
- In American English, you use “behavior.”
Australian English mainly follows UK guidelines, so behaviour is the correct spelling.
The same difference applies to similar words, such as “honor or honour,” “labor or labour,” “favor or favour,” “favorite or favourite,” “color or colour,” and “humor or humour.”
It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
