decent
adjective
de·cent ˈdē-sᵊnt 
1
: marked by moral integrity, kindness, and goodwill
hard-working and decent folks
it's very decent of them to help
2
a
: 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
decently adverb
Synonyms
- all right
- ethical
- good
- honest
- honorable
- just
- moral
- nice
- right
- right-minded
- righteous
- straight
- true
- upright
- virtuous
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
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. See More Recent Examples on the Web The rear seats are a comfortable place to be, with a decent amount of leg room and some USB ports in the fold-down armrest, although the back is probably more suitable for two people than three. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 13 Sep. 2022 CoffeeAndMilk Not to brag or anything, but my lips take up a decent amount of real estate on my face. Tatjana Freund, ELLE, 30 Aug. 2022 The mighty little legumes are low-calorie while packing a decent amount of fiber, protein, and other nutrients. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2022 Well, that is an affront to all that’s good and decent. Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Sep. 2022 Viserys is a good and decent man, traits that may hamper his ability to be a strong ruler, Best says. Bill Keveney, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2022 Mainland investors were more positive on Hong Kong stocks buying a decent +$121mm of Hong Kong stocks today. Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 Saturday and Sunday are pretty much twins, with partly sunny skies and a decent chance for afternoon-evening showers and storms. David Streit, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2022 At present, Seattle is expected to tie that record on Saturday, but there’s a decent chance that Sunday could hit 90, too. Matthew Cappucci, BostonGlobe.com, 29 July 2022 See More
Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 13 Sep. 2022 CoffeeAndMilk Not to brag or anything, but my lips take up a decent amount of real estate on my face. Tatjana Freund, ELLE, 30 Aug. 2022 The mighty little legumes are low-calorie while packing a decent amount of fiber, protein, and other nutrients. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2022 Well, that is an affront to all that’s good and decent. Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Sep. 2022 Viserys is a good and decent man, traits that may hamper his ability to be a strong ruler, Best says. Bill Keveney, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2022 Mainland investors were more positive on Hong Kong stocks buying a decent +$121mm of Hong Kong stocks today. Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 Saturday and Sunday are pretty much twins, with partly sunny skies and a decent chance for afternoon-evening showers and storms. David Streit, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2022 At present, Seattle is expected to tie that record on Saturday, but there’s a decent chance that Sunday could hit 90, too. Matthew Cappucci, BostonGlobe.com, 29 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
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
First Known Use
1539, in the meaning defined at sense 5a
Phrases Containing decent
Kids Definition
decent
adjective
de·cent ˈdē-sᵊnt
1
: meeting an accepted standard of good manners or morality
Do the decent thing and confess.
2
: being moral and good
She was raised by decent folks.
3
: not offensive
decent language
4
: fairly good
decent grades
decent
adjective
1
as in nice
conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue as decent and kind a couple as you could ever hope to meet Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- nice
- good
- honorable
- honest
- ethical
- true
- moral
- worthy
- virtuous
- noble
- right
- just
- upright
- straight
- proper
- righteous
- all right
- respected
- correct
- right-minded
- legitimate
- exemplary
- pure
- commendable
- decorous
- creditable
- principled
- reputable
- seemly
- innocent
- clean
- upstanding
- inoffensive
- unobjectionable
- immaculate
- irreproachable
- esteemed
- spotless
- incorruptible
- high-minded
- scrupulous
- blameless
- guiltless
- angelic
- uncorrupted
- unerring
- menschy
- moralistic
- law-abiding
- incorrupt
- sanctimonious
- rectitudinous
- incorrupted
- pharisaical
- angelical
- lily-white
- goody-goody
- self-righteous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- bad
- wrong
- indecent
- improper
- wicked
- evil
- dishonest
- dishonorable
- sinful
- immoral
- unethical
- unseemly
- incorrect
- naughty
- atrocious
- low
- degenerate
- depraved
- unscrupulous
- unrighteous
- perverted
- dissolute
- debased
- unbecoming
- indecorous
- corrupt
- debauched
- unprincipled
- base
- libertine
- vicious
- vile
- infamous
- villainous
- offensive
- mean
- objectionable
- evil-minded
- reprobate
- nefarious
- blameworthy
- iniquitous
- fallen
- errant
- erring
2
as in honorable
following the accepted rules of moral conduct demanded nothing less than decent behavior by the troops serving overseas Synonyms & Similar Words
- honorable
- honest
- respectable
- ethical
- good
- nice
- noble
- just
- upstanding
- principled
- upright
- righteous
- proper
- conscientious
- stand-up
- classy
- moral
- unimpeachable
- unassailable
- irreproachable
- respected
- fair
- polite
- virtuous
- reputable
- guiltless
- blameless
- chivalrous
- scrupulous
- incorruptible
- right-minded
- uncorrupted
- decorous
- high-minded
- menschy
- seemly
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- low
- bad
- base
- unworthy
- dishonest
- criminal
- unjust
- dishonorable
- ignoble
- unethical
- unprincipled
- evil
- reprehensible
- rotten
- mean
- sinful
- unfair
- nefarious
- immoral
- wretched
- crooked
- iniquitous
- unrighteous
- wicked
- vile
- unscrupulous
- corrupt
- roguish
- villainous
- rascally
- loose
- knavish
- shameful
- disgraceful
- culpable
- degraded
- blameworthy
- censurable
- scoundrelly
- degenerate
- perverse
- depraved
- decadent
- perverted
- dissolute
- debased
- blackguardly
- profligate
- blamable
- venal
- debauched
- demoralized
- dissipated
- libertine
- disreputable
- reprobate
3
as in proper
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste decent clothing for someone attending a funeral, if only as a friend of a friend Synonyms & Similar Words
- proper
- respectable
- polite
- satisfactory
- nice
- acceptable
- correct
- adequate
- decorous
- formal
- elegant
- dress
- befitting
- seemly
- tolerable
- genteel
- dignified
- gracious
- relevant
- de rigueur
- allowed
- congenial
- prim
- apt
- compatible
- material
- authorized
- permitted
- harmonious
- dressy
- kosher
- priggish
- stiff
- stuffy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- improper
- indecent
- unsatisfactory
- unacceptable
- inappropriate
- casual
- informal
- incorrect
- intolerable
- unseemly
- shabby
- unbecoming
- indelicate
- ungenteel
- seedy
- tacky
- indecorous
- barred
- forbidden
- grungy
- prohibited
- awkward
- disallowed
- proscribed
- gauche
- ungraceful
- outlawed
- banned
- interdicted
4
as in pure
free from any trace of the coarse or indecent students were warned that their skits could be funny but still had to remain decent Synonyms & Similar Words
- pure
- modest
- immaculate
- clean
- chaste
- decorous
- proper
- virginal
- vestal
- G-rated
- unblemished
- spotless
- virgin
- harmless
- unsullied
- untarnished
- stainless
- untainted
- tasteful
- refined
- inoffensive
- unsoiled
- cultivated
- seemly
- innocuous
- unspotted
- unstained
- undefiled
- lily-white
- innocent
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- indecent
- filthy
- coarse
- dirty
- obscene
- vulgar
- unclean
- improper
- immodest
- smutty
- impure
- stained
- blemished
- tarnished
- spotted
- unchaste
- soiled
- unseemly
- crude
- tainted
- ribald
- tasteless
- tacky
- unrefined
- indecorous
- indelicate
- sullied
- defiled
5
as in adequate
of a level of quality that meets one's needs or standards he did a decent job on the project, but there's still room for improvement Synonyms & Similar Words
- adequate
- good
- fine
- satisfactory
- respectable
- acceptable
- serviceable
- passable
- okay
- tolerable
- useful
- suitable
- all right
- fairish
- OK
- minimal
- mediocre
- worthy
- middling
- average
- agreeable
- fair
- up to snuff
- bearable
- standard
- proper
- satisfying
- appropriate
- endurable
- ordinary
- indifferent
- unexceptional
- fitting
- so-so
- common
- correct
- sufferable
- right
- meet
- due
- second-rate
- seemly
- run-of-the-mill
- run-of-the-mine
- gratifying
- run-of-mine
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inadequate
- insufficient
- lacking
- unsatisfactory
- unacceptable
- cheap
- bad
- useless
- wrong
- deficient
- wanting
- improper
- indecent
- pitiful
- shoddy
- poor
- unsuitable
- unworthy
- short
- disagreeable
- unfit
- imperfect
- objectionable
- meager
- defective
- insufficient
- incomplete
- lamentable
- meagre
- faulty
- great
- skimpy
- spare
- shabby
- scanty
- special
- miserly
- mean
- disreputable
- atrocious
- stingy
- optimal
- exceptional
- maximum
- superb
- unbearable
- terrific
- optimum
- intolerable
- wonderful
- splendid
- miserable
- fancy
- superior
- wretched
- stellar
- extreme
- neat
- execrable
- dissatisfying
- vile
- insufferable
- exquisite
- supreme
- unendurable
- prime
- marvelous
- premium
- unparalleled
- marvellous
- noble
- peerless
- superlative
- fabulous
- top
- classic
- nifty
- matchless
- divine
- unmatched
- grand
- dandy
- sensational
- keen
- heavenly
- sterling
- preeminent
- mean
- par excellence
- swell
- unsurpassed
- banner
- capital
- niggardly
- first-class
- top-notch
- first-rate
- boss
- maximized
- groovy
- high-grade
- crackerjack
- tip-top
- bang-up
- supernal
- jim-dandy
- A1
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of decent are chaste, modest, and pure. While all these words mean "free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious," 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
The meanings of chaste and decent largely overlap; however, 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