VocabDictionary

decent

/หˆdiห.sษ™nt/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Conforming to acceptable standards of propriety, morality, or respectability.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œShe tried to make sure her children received a decent education.โ€
  • โ€œIt's hard to find a decent job in this economy without a degree.โ€
2.adjective

Satisfactory, adequate, or of an acceptable standard, quality, or quantity.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œWe finally got a decent night of sleep after checking into the hotel.โ€
  • โ€œCan you turn up the heat? It's not quite decent in here.โ€
3.adjective

Kind, obliging, or generous (often used in spoken English).

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œIt was very decent of you to lend us your car for the weekend.โ€
  • โ€œHe's a decent guy who always helps his neighbors.โ€
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for โ€œdecentโ€.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'decentem' (meaning 'becoming, fitting, proper'), present participle of 'decere' ('to beseem, be fitting'). It entered English in the late 16th century, initially retaining the sense of being fitting or appropriate, which gradually shifted to mean socially acceptable, respectable, and later, moderately good or adequate.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of something that is 'decent' as being 'decently' good enough to keepโ€”not terrible, just 'de-cent' (down-centered and balanced).

Rhyming Words

Frequently Asked Questions About โ€œdecentโ€

1. What is the meaning of โ€œdecentโ€ in English?

In English, decent (adjective) is defined as: โ€œConforming to acceptable standards of propriety, morality, or respectability.โ€.

2. How do you use โ€œdecentโ€ in a sentence?

โ€œShe tried to make sure her children received a decent education.โ€

3. What are English synonyms of โ€œdecentโ€?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of โ€œdecentโ€?

Derived from the Latin 'decentem' (meaning 'becoming, fitting, proper'), present participle of 'decere' ('to beseem, be fitting'). It entered English in the late 16th century, initially retaining the sense of being fitting or appropriate, which gradually shifted to mean socially acceptable, respectable, and later, moderately good or adequate.