de rigueur

[ duh ri-gur; French duh ree-gœr ]

adjective

1. strictly required, as by etiquette, usage, or fashion.

de rigueur

/ də riɡœr; də rɪˈɡɜː /

adjective

1. required by etiquette or fashion

de rigueur

1. A French term meaning necessary according to convention: “Formal dress is de rigueur at weddings.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of de rigueur¹

First recorded in 1825–35; from French: “of rigor”; de ( def ), rigor ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of de rigueur¹

literally: of strictness

Example Sentences

Back then, orange blossoms were the de rigueur flower of wedding bouquets.

From Los Angeles Times

When he first opened, he dutifully stocked his back bar with ingredients for de rigueur cocktails: cranberry juice for Cosmopolitans and a $100 jar of fancy olives for Dirty Martinis.

From Salon

But their institutional weight made it de rigueur in Southern California philanthropy.

From Los Angeles Times

Membership at the Palm Royale is de rigueur, and once inside, Maxine claws her way to the top of society while hiding her secret poverty.

From Los Angeles Times

You can expect glamorous gowns and awfully prolonged standing ovations — at Cannes, such things are de rigueur — but what distinguishes this year’s lineup?

From New York Times

Related Words

• mandatory
• necessary
• obligatory
• required