conduct

The way someone behaves, especially towards other people.

• His conduct was polite throughout.
• The school rewards good conduct.
• Her conduct towards customers led to a complaint.

Similar words: behaviour

Common phrases: good conduct, professional conduct, code of conduct, poor conduct

The careful, skilful management of an activity or group.

• His conduct of the campaign was skilful.
• They praised her conduct of the negotiations.
• The successful conduct of operations depended on clear orders.

How to use it: conduct of something (The conduct of the campaign required careful planning.)

Similar words: management, direction, leadership

Common phrases: conduct of affairs, conduct of operations, skilful conduct

To organize and carry out an activity or process.

• We conduct tests every week.
• Police conducted an investigation into the fire.
• Who will conduct the interviews tomorrow?

Similar words: carry out, perform, undertake

Common phrases: conduct research, conduct a survey, conduct an interview

To allow heat or electricity to pass through.

• Copper conducts electricity well.
• This material does not conduct heat easily.
• Wet skin conducts an electric current more readily than dry skin.

Similar words: transmit, carry

Opposites: insulate

Common phrases: conduct heat, conduct electricity, conduct a current

To guide musicians or singers by moving your hands to show how they should play or sing.

• She conducts the school choir.
• He conducted the orchestra at last night’s concert.
• Who will conduct the final symphony?

Common phrases: conduct an orchestra, conduct a choir, conduct a symphony

To behave in a particular way.

• Please conduct yourself properly.
• He conducted himself with great dignity.
• They conducted themselves professionally throughout the meeting.

How to use it: conduct yourself + adverb (She conducted herself calmly during the interview.)

Similar words: behave

Common phrases: conduct yourself well, conduct yourself properly

To lead someone to a place or show people around it.

• He conducted us to the door.
• A guide conducted our tour of the palace.
• She conducted the guests through the gardens.

How to use it: conduct someone to something (An assistant conducted us to the meeting room.); conduct someone around something (She conducted the visitors around the museum.)

Similar words: guide, lead, escort

Common phrases: conduct a tour, conduct someone to something, conduct someone around something

To lead people or take charge of their work.

• The general conducted the troops during the retreat.
• She conducted the entire operation with care.
• An experienced officer was chosen to conduct the forces.

Similar words: lead, direct, command

Common phrases: conduct the troops, conduct military operations