De rigueur
Adjective
- Required by etiquette or current fashion.
Example Sentences
“It’s de rigueur to wear a dinner jacket at this restaurant, but my husband thinks he’ll get away with a shirt and tie.”
“In the 1970s, bell-bottoms and sequins were de rigueur for the disco.”
“When traveling to a foreign country, ask what’s de rigueur for tipping before you arrive.”
Word Origin
French, mid-19th century
Why this word?
In the late 19th century, French culture was seen as the height of sophistication, and it was de rigueur to adopt French terms into English, wear Parisian fashion, and look to France for cues in art, food, and literature. “De rigueur” has remained in English, meaning “required by etiquette or current fashion.” It’s a bit of a formal phrase, but it might be used when discussing upholding certain standards or cultural contexts.
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