respectableadj.n.
/rᵻˈspɛktəbl/, U.S. /rəˈspɛktəb(ə)l/, /riˈspɛktəb(ə)l/ A. adj.† 1. Worthy or deserving of notice, observation, or consideration. Obsolete.† 4. With to. Convenient, suitable. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adjective] > worthy of notice
specialc1405
eminentc1420
markablec1449
noteworthy1552
regardable1572
respectable1584
of —— observation1587
considerable1589
of (great, little, etc.) mark1590
signal1591
remarkable1593
conspicuous1604
noble1604
observative1608
observable1609
significant1642
noteful1644
signalized1652
tall1655
curious1682
notice-worthy1713
unco1724
noticeable1793
handsome1813
epoch-forming1816
measurable1839
epochal1857
epoch-making1863
era-making1894
epoch-marking1895
high profile1950
landmark1959
1584 in Lett. & Papers Ld. Gray (1835) 9 The Queene of Englande, being the princes in the worlde neerest alwaies, and moste respectable to ws.
1605 R. Verstegan Restit. Decayed Intelligence i. 10 It is also respectable that the most ancient Germans beeing pagans..ordayned [etc.].
?1617 W. Alexander Suppl. Sidney's Arcadia iii. sig. ¶3 This vnexpected aduenture, or vehemently respectable misaduenture.
1749 Acct. Doctr. Unitas Fratrum 133 It was..a respectable Providence (and Providence it was), that [etc.].
2.
a.
(a) Worthy or deserving of respect; having or embodying qualities that inspire respect; admirable, estimable.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > [adjective]
goodOE
winlyOE
snella1000
winc1275
boonc1325
cleana1375
tidya1375
positivea1398
comelyc1400
kindc1400
kindly?a1425
well-formeda1425
trim?a1513
wally?a1513
bonnya1525
delicatea1533
goodlike1562
sappy1563
bein1567
rum1567
benedict1576
warrantable1581
true (also good, sure) as touch1590
goodlisomea1603
respectable1603
clever1738
amusing1753
plummy1787
bone1793
brickish1843
mooi1850
ryebuck1859
spandy1868
greatisha1871
healthy1878
popular1884
beefy1903
onkus1910
quies1919
cushty1929
high-powered1969
not shabby1975
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > [adjective] > worthy of or commanding respect
honourablec1384
redoubtable1421
respectable1603
respectuous1610
respective1611
respectful1613
society > leisure > the arts > literature > writer or author > [adjective] > authoritative or meritorious
respectable1796
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. viii. 225 A man should yeeld himselfe respectable by vertue and sufficiencie, and amiable by his goodnesse, and gentlenesse of maners.
1699 tr. J. de La Bruyère Characters 181 Honour Vertue, Conscience, are respectible Qualities, but frequently unprofitable, and sometimes you can hardly tell me what an honest Man is good for.
1712 A. Boyer Hist. Reign Queen Anne: Year the Tenth p. iv The most venerable and most respectable Characters are bespatter'd and vilify'd, not with Impunity only, but with Reward.
1750 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 25 Jan. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1495 Your studies, the respectable remains of antiquity.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall III. xxvii. 42 The wisdom of his laws, and the success of his arms, rendered his administration respectable in the eyes both of his subjects, and of his enemies.
1796 H. Hunter tr. J.-H. B. de Saint-Pierre Stud. Nature (1799) II. 436 An anonymous English Author, highly respectable for the soundness of his judgment.
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. v. iv. 430 He had a personal antipathy to Hyder Ali, which in a mind like his was capable of weighing down more respectable motives.
1831 J. Sinclair Corr. II. 236 The inhabitants of Norway are a most respectable race of people.
1866 P. Fitzgerald Lamb (ed. 2) 193 The complete collection of the more respectable English essayists.
1901 W. B. Yeats Let. 8 Jan. (1994) III. 11 It is as much their very respectable instinct for heresey [sic], as rage against something they cannot understand, that keeps them ever harping on symbols.
1919 William & Mary Q. 27 226 We frequently meet with the assertion by respectable writers that the South incurred no loss by the abolition of slavery.
1966 A. MacLean When Eight Bells Toll ii. 32 All men working for the Government are ipso facto respectable and trustworthy citizens.
1999 Forecasts 20 Dec. 72/3 Conan Doyle's achievements minus the Great Detective would have been respectable.
(b) Used more generally to make polite reference to a person (formerly frequently in forms of address). Now somewhat archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous forms of address or title > [adjective]
goodeOE
liefc897
sweeta1225
beauc1300
gentlec1330
comelya1375
faira1375
reverentc1410
reverend1422
virtuous?1473
singular1485
lucky1568
respectable1749
1749 9th Let. from Farmer 12 My dear, free, and respectable Brethren, I must lastly remind you, and beseech you to beware, that you hold yourselves firm in a just and sedate Medium.
1754 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison VII. xlvi. 235 Take it for a conclusion, chits, that I wish you all well; and to our venerable Mrs. Shirley, and respectable aunt Selby, and her honest man, health, happiness, and so-forth.
1755 Man No. 9. 4 We shall endeavour..to ingratiate this respectable order [sc. the clergy] with the people.
1768 Woman of Honor I. 205 My ever respectable Aunt.
1808 Mem. Female Philos. I. 72 My respectable, my tender mother.
1815 tr. V. J. E. de Jouy Paris Chit-chat II. 174 Nor would the painter fail to give a conspicuous place to the respectable sister Bignan.
1881 E. L. Bynner Damen's Ghost iii. iii. 245 All further remarks I may make are addressed to my respectable great-grandmother hanging there on the wall.
1953 Middlesboro (Kentucky) Daily News 29 June 5/8 Do you want an alert man..who will persistently seek people who would like to come into Middlesboro with a factory? Does my respectable opponent have the time to do this?
b. Considerable or impressive in number, size, quantity, strength, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > considerable in amount or degree
goodeOE
fairOE
goodlyc1275
largea1375
no littlea1413
substantial1413
unleast?1440
prettya1475
reasonablea1500
substantious1545
substantive1575
sensible1581
pretty and ——1596
goody1597
greatish1611
considerable1651
sonsy1721
respectable1736
smart1750
quite a little ——1763
gey1796
smartish1799
canny1805
serious1810
right smart1825
dunnamuch1831
snug1833
tidy1839
bonnyish1855
largish1872
a nice little ——1891
significant1898
healthy1901
beaucoup1917
1736 T. Lediard Life Marlborough II. 531 The Front of the Camp stretches near three Leagues, and is certainly very respectable.
1750 R. Rolt Impartial Representation Conduct Powers Europe IV. viii. 294 Formerly, the Genoese were considered in a very important light, on account of their maritime force; but of late, they had been no ways respectable at sea.
1780 S. J. Pratt Emma Corbett II. 46 He has the good fortune to conceal under his hat..a respectable contusion.
1840 R. H. Barham Ingoldsby Legends 1st Ser. Pref. p. iv A beautiful green lane..will carry them..to the foot of a very respectable hill.
1869 H. F. Tozer Res. Highlands of Turkey II. 337 Modern authorities—whose writings amount to a respectable literature.
1897 Westm. Gaz. 29 May 10/1 The amount spent on sweepstake tickets..totalled up to the respectable sum of £107,164.
1924 P. G. Wodehouse Bill the Conqueror 198 That extra fifty dollars a month had raised his salary to a very respectable figure.
1978 Jrnl. Royal Soc. Med. 71 697/1 There is a respectable weight of well-researched evidence.
2006 Wired Sept. 58/1 When ABC broadcast a national spelling bee in prime time recently, the maneuver attracted a respectable 9 million viewers.
c. Of comparative excellence; tolerable, passable, fair.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being satisfactory > [adjective]
wellOE
sufferablea1340
worthy1340
sufficient1489
paregala1500
competent1535
something like?1556
right1567
sweet1577
fairish1611
all right1652
fair1656
comfortable1658
decent1711
respectable1750
unrepulsive1787
decentisha1814
fair-to-middling1822
fine1828
christena1838
OK1839
tidy1844
not (or none) so dusty?1856
sweet1898
oke1928
okey-doke1934
okey-dokey1936
tickety-boo1939
cool1951
aight1993
1750 Papers Commissioners for Trade & Plantations (House of Commons) i. 9 To maintain the Forts and Castles in a defensible and respectable Condition.
1775 J. Jekyll Let. 5 Sept. in Corr. (1894) ii. 49 At five the spectacles commence; and first the comedy, which is very respectable.
1824 T. F. Dibdin Libr. Compan. p. xv The typographical execution..is delightful, and the engraved frontispieces are very respectable.
1858 N. Hawthorne Jrnl. 3 Apr. in French & Ital. Notebks. (1980) iii. 154 It is at best but a respectable production.
1903 Athenæum 24 Oct. 552/1 Other places have had respectable weather.
1959 Harvard Stud. Classical Philol. 64 237 It is an outstanding addition to the collection, a good specimen,..and in a respectable state of preservation.
1993 Taste Aug.–Sept. 56/1 While they produce a respectable cup of coffee, the result is a long way from a true espresso.
d. Of an opinion, observation, etc.: characterized by respect; approving, favourable. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being satisfactory > [adjective] > unexceptionable
balelessa1000
unquestionable1597
well1661
unexceptionable1681
unexceptable1702
unobjectible1710
respectable1752
unobjectionable1759
undeniable1793
1752 H. Fielding Amelia IV. x. ix. 106 Tho' he had in other Points a great Opinion of his Wife's Capacity; yet as a Divine or a Philosopher he did not hold her in a very respectable Light.
1769 O. Ruffhead Life A. Pope 23 Respectable mentions of Dryden, for whom he felt admiration.
1801 Asiatic Ann. Reg. 1800 Chron. 18/1 Judging that a respectable address of congratulation on the occasion will be becomingly proper, as well as dutiful from us.
1903 Public 31 Oct. 475/3 If Senator Hanna entertained a respectable opinion of the intelligence of the Republican voters of Ohio, he never would have publicly declared that his defeat would precipitate an awful panic.
3.
a. Of a person: having a good or fair standing in society, either because of status or (esp. in later use) through being regarded as having a good character, a reputation for honesty or decency, etc.In later use sometimes with the implication of (esp. excessive) conformity to social norms, or other depreciative connotations.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > [adjective]
goodeOE
dowingc1175
well-theweda1200
thewful?c1225
goodfulc1275
flourisheda1375
virtuousc1390
honesta1393
fine?a1400
theweda1400
well-manneredc1400
well-conditioneda1425
moralc1443
mannerlya1500
virtuala1500
graceful1611
well-moralized1624
well-principled1635
morate1652
unlicentious1737
respectable1750
nice1799
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > good repute > reputability or honourableness > [adjective] > respectable
substantious1490
proper1600
creditable1624
decent1712
respectable1750
gradely1763
pukka1776
nice1799
salonfähig1905
quite1907
resp1922
1750 Expos. Reasons Dissent Last Gen. Assembly 18 Respectable Families..who, not possessed of above L. 1000 Scots per annum, and loaded besides with Taxes,..are nevertheless obliged to support a Rank equal to the Ministers.
1758 C. Lennox Henrietta II. v. viii. 260 It will be more for your reputation to have it known that you lived in such a respectable society.
a1772 Ess. from Batchelor (1773) I. 120 His secretary,..the Provost, and many other respectable persons came to consult with him.
1806 R. Cumberland Mem. (1807) II. 338 Visitors so respectable as the Lord Chief Justice Mansfield, the Ex-Premier Lord North.
1845 R. Ford Hand-bk. Travellers in Spain I. i. 54 The best plan for those who want to buy a horse is to apply to some respectable private person.
1879 J. A. Froude Cæsar viii. 86 He expressed the opinions of the respectable middle classes, who had no sympathy with revolutionists.
1924 ‘K. Mansfield’ Something Childish 124 They're not respectable women—you can tell at a glance.
1937 A. Christie Murder in Mews 218 Lawyers, even the most respectable, have been known to embezzle their client's money when they themselves are in a hole.
1981 A. Perry Resurrection Row vi. 108 Mr. Porteous was a very respectable man, never mixed with fast society, every penny he had was earned, and he never put a wager in his life.
2008 New Yorker 22 Sept. 91/2 Jamal, an outwardly respectable psycho-analyst, harbors dark secrets.
b. Of character, behaviour, circumstances, institutions, etc.: characteristic of or associated with people of good standing or character; socially acceptable.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > good repute > reputability or honourableness > [adjective] > respectable > of things
Christian1617
respectable1751
1751 E. Haywood Hist. Betsy Thoughtless IV. xvi. 189 Being his mistress was a station more respectable, than being the wife of a private gentleman, or even of a little marquis.
1769 H. Brooke Fool of Quality IV. xvii. 260 A man, advanced in years, but of a very respectable appearance, got up and addressed the assembly.
1788 Trifler No. ii. 140 He sent us to the most respectable schools he could select.
1834 H. Martineau Moral Many Fables i. 3 All labour for which there is a fair demand is equally respectable.
1889 A. Lang Lett. on Lit. (ed. 2) i. 7 The ‘Idyls’..are full of a Victorian respectability, and love of talking with Vivien about what is not so respectable.
1907 J. Webster Four-pools Myst. (1916) xix. 198 He has been dishonest, but unintentionally so. He wishes to straighten up and lead a respectable life.
1939 D. Thomas Let. 29 Sept. (1987) 418 Have you got a respectable suit you can lend me?
1963 E. Taylor Fall of Dynasties iv. 57 She remained incorrigibly addicted to the vapidly respectable novels of Marie Corelli.
2008 P. Hensher Northern Clemency 569 The fourth floor more resembled the inside of a drinkers' den than a respectable place of business.
c. Of decent or acceptable appearance, esp. as regards clothing or grooming.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective]
faireOE
comelyOE
winlyOE
goodlyOE
hendya1250
hendc1275
quaintc1300
seemlyc1305
tidya1325
avenant1340
honestc1384
sightya1387
properc1390
well beseena1393
queema1400
speciousa1400
featousc1400
parisantc1400
rekenc1400
well-favoureda1438
wellc1450
spectable?a1475
delicatec1480
jollya1500
bonny?a1513
snog1513
viewlyc1536
goodlikec1550
sightly1555
sightful1565
beholdinga1586
eyesome?1587
decent1600
vage1604
prospicuous1605
eyely1614
fashionable1630
well-looking1638
softa1643
fineish1647
well-looked1660
of a good (also ugly, etc.) look1700
likely-looked1709
sonsy1720
smiling1725
aspectable1731
smirkya1758
likely-looking1771
respectable1776
magnificent-looking1790
producible1792
presentable1800
good-looking1804
nice-looking1807
bonnyish1855
spick1882
eyeable1887
aegyo2007
1776 S. J. Pratt Liberal Opinions III. lv. 77 I believe I have a pair of respectable metal buckles in the house.
1841 Metropolitan Mar. 273 There lay the very respectable snuff-coloured coat, and the equally respectable snuff-coloured waistcoat, and the immaculate broad-brimmed hat.
1856 J. Melville Old Memories vii. 117 Steenie had gone to brush his hair, and make himself respectable.
1915 Munsey's Mag. Mar. 365/2 ‘Come on in!’ called Dick again. ‘I'm fully dressed and respectable.’
1974 A. Price Other Paths to Glory i. iv. 41 Make us all a lot of hot, strong coffee while I get myself respectable.
2001 B. N. Weaver Rooster xxiv. 265 She didn't want to get the door because, well, you know, she wasn't respectable.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > convenience > [adjective] > convenient or within reach
nexta1425
hend?a1513
handsome1530
handy1650
respectable1773
1773 J. Wentworth Let. 27 Apr. in F. Chase Hist. Dartmouth Coll. (1891) I. 440 An advertisement in your name, notifying a meeting on the day of your appointment, and at a place and spot most respectable to the College.
B. n.
A respectable person. Usually in plural.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > good repute > reputability or honourableness > [noun] > respectability > person
pillarc1330
barona1400
Christian1693
respectable1770
respectability1837
square John1934
1770 Æolus 167 With the judgments or the consciences of the Respectables, we have nothing to do.
1795 J. Wolcot Wks. II. 539 The Academic Men, Respectables indeed! who nine in ten, Well as of painting, know the art of eating.
1841 J. T. J. Hewlett Parish Clerk I. 293 To show his respect for the respectables by touching his hat.
c1890 Fred Wilson's Fate 97 It was an assembly of the respectables, and they were not his ‘crowd’.
1930 D. Richberg Tents of Mighty iii. 86 This strange interview with a ‘respectable’ who did not respect his ability visibly disconcerted him.
1978 P. G. Winslow Coppergold 142 You think I'm rotten, don't you?.. You're like Daddy and all the old respectables.
2006 T. Wicker Shooting Star iii. 65 He knew power-hungry Republican senators—even the respectables of the Senate club—would not expose him.
Compounds
C1. Complementary, as respectable-looking adj., etc.
ΚΠ
1778 J. King Jrnl. 21 Apr. in Jrnls. Capt. J. Cook (1967) III. ii. 1406 Our Neighbours..were not a set of as respectable looking People as many of the Strangers.
1815 Zeluca I. 12 By the respectable sounding plea of removing Miss Marlowe and Sir John from temptation.
1843 F. E. I. Calderón de la Barca Life in Mexico II. xlviii. 305 Toluca..is an old, quiet, good-looking, respectable-seeming place.
1874 J. W. Long Amer. Wild-fowl Shooting ix. 153 That makes quite a respectable-looking flock.
1950 Wisconsin State Jrnl. 15 Aug. i. 4/2 Bingo games in the past have been ‘sponsored’ by perfectly respectable-sounding organizations.
2001 B. Danet Cyberpl@y i. 41 Basic font design had become so easy that even children could create respectable-looking ones.
C2. Appositive, as respectable-conventional adj., etc.
ΚΠ
1873 Scribner's Monthly Feb. 498/2 Well known to all of us as a landscape-painter of the respectable-conventional sort.
1916 E. Pound Lustra 112 A quiet and respectable tawdry trio.
Derivatives
reˈspectableness n. respectability.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > good repute > reputability or honourableness > [noun] > respectability
respectableness1750
decency1751
sponsibility1767
respectability1769
white-chokerism1858
1750 E. Law Let. Aug. in F. Blackburne Wks. (1804) I. p. xv That accumulation of preferment..cannot add either to the real merit or to the interior respectableness of the person, who must dignify it.
1817 H. Clarke & J. Dougall Cabinet of Arts xxvi. 854 Moderate benefices are most favourable to the usefulness and respectableness of the clergy.
1883 S. Chandler Hist. Town of Shirley iii. 580 There has been a respectableness and more than average ability connected with individuals of the name.
1999 Australian (Nexis) 14 Apr. b3 The Indian owner of one of the motels in Monroeville..boasts about the town's respectableness.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.1584- cirro-cumulus
- cirro-filum
- cirro-macula
- cirro-pinnate
- cirro-pinnated
- cirro-strative
- cirro-stratous
- cirro-stratus
- cirro-velum
- cirrocumular
- cirrocumulated
- cirrocumulative
- cirrocumuli
- cirrocumulous
- cirrocumulus
- cirrofilum
- cirromacula
- cirropinnate
- cirropinnated
- cirrose
- cirrostome
- cirrostrati
- cirrostrative
- cirrostratous
- cirrostratus