decent

de·cent

adjective \ˈdē-s^ənt\

Definition of DECENT

1

archaic

a : appropriate

b : well-formed : handsome

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

: marked by moral integrity, kindness, and goodwill <hard-working and decent folks> <it's very decent of them to help>

— de·cent·ly adverb

Examples of DECENT

1. I don't understand how so decent a person could be involved with this kind of crime.
2. He is a decent guy who would help anyone in need.
3. You need to do the decent thing and tell her what happened.
4. Are there any decent schools in that area?
5. I've got to get some decent clothes.
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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 —decentchance that these strangers are pitchmen in disguise, paid to oh-so-subtly pique your interest in their product. —Paul McFedries, Word Spy, 2004

Origin of 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

First Known Use: 1539

Related to DECENT

Synonyms

all right, good, ethical, honest, honorable, just, moral, nice, right, righteous, right-minded, straight, true, upright, virtuous

Antonyms

bad, black, dishonest, dishonorable, evil, evil-minded, immoral, indecent, sinful, unethical, unrighteous, wicked, wrong

Related Words

correct, decorous, proper, seemly; high-minded, noble, principled; commendable, creditable, exemplary, legitimate; esteemed, law-abiding, menschy, reputable, respected, upstanding, worthy; blameless, clean, guiltless, immaculate, incorrupt (also incorrupted), incorruptible, innocent, inoffensive, irreproachable, unobjectionable; angelic (or angelical), lily-white, pure, scrupulous, spotless, uncorrupted, unerring; goody-goody, moralistic, pharisaical, rectitudinous, sanctimonious, self-righteous

Near Antonyms

improper, incorrect, indecorous, naughty, unbecoming, unseemly; corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, libertine, perverted, reprobate; unprincipled, unscrupulous; atrocious, infamous, villainous; base, low, mean, vicious, vile; blameworthy, objectionable, offensive; iniquitous, nefarious; errant, erring, fallen

See Synonym Discussion at chaste

Rhymes with DECENT

recent