Phrase guide

de rigueur

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Received-Pronunciation: /də ɹɪˈɡɜː(ɹ)/
  • General-American: /də ɹɪˈɡɝ/
  • rhymes with -ɜː(ɹ)
  • Received-Pronunciation: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • General-American: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Necessary according to etiquette, protocol or fashion.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • Wearing a suit to a job interview is de rigueur.
  • This season, the little black dress is de rigueur.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

required by etiquette or usage or fashion

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • instruction as to when and where a silk hat is de rigueur

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Borrowed from French de rigueur (“required”), from de (“of”) + rigueur (“rigour/rigor”).

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Arabic: ملزم اجتماعيًا — necessary according to etiquette
  • French: de rigueur — necessary according to etiquette
  • Hungarian: elvárt — necessary according to etiquette
  • Hungarian: ajánlatos — necessary according to etiquette
  • Hungarian: ajánlott — necessary according to etiquette
  • Hungarian: illendő — necessary according to etiquette
  • Hungarian: (szinte/jóformán) kötelező — necessary according to etiquette
  • Hungarian: az elvárás — necessary according to etiquette