DictionaryAI

decent

adjective
DEE-suhnt/ˈdiːs(ə)nt/

7 meanings of decent

Practice

  1. 1
    adjective
    Good enough to be okay, but not great.

    Like a meal that fills you up, even if it isn't your favorite.

    The food at that little café is pretty decent.

    We got a decent score on the math test.

    Similaracceptable, adequate, satisfactory, reasonable, passable

    Oppositepoor, inadequate, unsatisfactory

    Note
  2. 2
    adjective
    Fairly large in amount or size.

    They earn a decent amount of money each month.

    There's a decent chance it will rain this afternoon.

    Similarsizable, considerable, healthy, respectable, substantial

    Oppositemeager, paltry

    Note
  3. 3
    adjective
    Honest and kind, with good moral values.

    He's a decent man who always keeps his word.

    It was decent of her to return the lost wallet.

    Similarhonorable, upright, good, ethical, fair

    Oppositedishonorable, unscrupulous, unethical

  4. 4
    adjective
    Right or proper for the situation.

    Please wear something decent for the job interview.

    Is this a decent time to call you, or are you busy?

    Similarsuitable, appropriate, proper, reasonable, respectable

    Oppositeinappropriate, unsuitable

    Note
  5. 5
    adjective
    Following what people see as polite and in good taste.

    Keep the jokes decent while the kids are in the room.

    She kept her language decent in front of her grandmother.

    Similarrespectable, proper, clean, tasteful, seemly

    Oppositeindecent, improper, vulgar, crude

  6. 6
    adjectivecolloquial
    Wearing enough clothes to be seen by other people.

    Hang on, let me get decent before you come in.

    Are you decent? I'm about to open the door.

    Similardressed, presentable, clothed

    Oppositeundressed, naked

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 7
    adjectiveobsolete
    Good-looking and nicely shaped.
    And ſable ſtole of Cipres Lawn, Over thy decent ſhoulders drawn.
    a. 1645, John Milton, “Il Penseroso”Here, decent means nicely shaped and good-looking.
    Note

Practice

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Origin

It came from Latin decet, meaning 'it is fitting or suitable', through Middle French décent.