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decent

adjective
de·​cent | \ ˈdÄ“-sᵊnt How to pronounce decent (audio) \

Definition of decent

1 : marked by moral integrity, kindness, and goodwill hard-working and decent folks it's very decent of them to help
2a : conforming to standards of propriety, good taste, or morality decent behavior
b : modestly clothed
3 : free from immodesty or obscenity decent language
4 : fairly good : adequate, satisfactory decent wages

5 archaic

a : appropriate
b : well-formed : handsome
Other Words from decent Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about decent

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Other Words from decent

decently adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for decent

chaste, pure, modest, decent mean free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious. chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows. they maintained chaste relations pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions. the pure of heart modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity. preferred more modest swimsuits decent people didn't go to such movies

Examples of decent in a Sentence

Not long afterward, his father's health starts to fail. Mrs. Queenan has kicked him out, and he's landed in a flophouse. When word reaches Joe, he takes out his checkbook and moves his father into a decent apartment. — James McManus, New York Times Book Review, 26 Apr. 2009 In a whiney, rambling speech at his sentencing he took a page from the script of the earlier case, once again portraying himself as a flawed but decent man unfairly caught up in circumstances. — Bill Hewitt et al., People, 22 Dec. 2008 Tommy Railles, the doctor's boy. Just a great kid. Smart at school, a decent athlete, great with the girls, wonderful with older people. — Ward Just, Forgetfulness, (2006) 2007 The next time an overly friendly blond sidles up in a crowded bar and asks you to order her a brand-name martini, or a cheery tourist couple wonder whether you can take their picture with their sleek new camera-in-a-cell phone, you might want to think twice. There's a decent chance that these strangers are pitchmen in disguise, paid to oh-so-subtly pique your interest in their product. — Paul McFedries, Word Spy, 2004 I don't understand how so decent a person could be involved with this kind of crime. He is a decent guy who would help anyone in need. You need to do the decent thing and tell her what happened. Are there any decent schools in that area? I've got to get some decent clothes.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Since the entry of China into the World Trade Organization in 2001, Navarro claims that 57,000 American factories have disappeared, and more than 25 million Americans have struggled to find decent jobs. — Bob Sellers, Fortune, "Tariff Man: Behind Trump Economic Advisor Peter Navarro’s Long Quest to Ratchet Up the Trade War With China," 27 Aug. 2019 The Rockies have done a decent job of that, but not well enough to keep pace with Los Angeles. — Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, "Newman vs. Kiz: Is cash-poor TV deal or talent-poor farm system the bigger problem for the Rockies?," 5 Aug. 2019 The gross domestic product — the total output of goods and services produced in the United States — grew at a decent if unspectacular 2.1% annual rate in the April-June quarter, down from a 3.1% pace in the January-March period. — Josh Boak, chicagotribune.com, "U.S. employers added a solid 164,000 jobs in July as the unemployment rate held at 3.7%," 2 Aug. 2019 The gross domestic product — the total output of goods and services produced in the United States — grew at a decent if unspectacular 2.1% annual rate in the April-June quarter, down from a 3.1% pace in the January-March period. — Washington Post, "US is thought to have added a solid 163,000 jobs in July," 2 Aug. 2019 The gross domestic product — the total output of goods and services produced in the United States — grew at a decent if unspectacular 2.1% annual rate in the April-June quarter, down from a 3.1% pace in the January-March period. — Josh Boak, Twin Cities, "July US jobs report shows solid gains amid trade frictions," 2 Aug. 2019 Globus said most of his college friends worried about finding a decent Bay Area apartment. — Louis Hansen, The Mercury News, "Exodus: For Bay Area millennials, moving up means moving out," 7 July 2019 Live television does a decent job of showing you the race. — Marc Peruzzi, Outside Online, "Lance Armstrong's Analysis of the 2019 Tour de France," 5 July 2019 As for its letters page per se, overly male or not, the Times does a decent job of running missives that are thoughtful, cogent, and well expressed. — Lionel Shriver, Harper's magazine, "Fifty-Fifty Follies," 10 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'decent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of decent

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 5a

History and Etymology for decent

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin decent-, decens, present participle of decēre to be fitting; akin to Latin decus honor, dignus worthy, Greek dokein to seem, seem good

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More Definitions for decent

decent

adjective
How to pronounce decent (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of decent

: polite, moral, and honest
somewhat informal : showing kindness : seeming to care about the feelings or problems of other people
: good enough but not the best : adequate or acceptable

See the full definition for decent in the English Language Learners Dictionary

decent

adjective

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