1
: considered to be good, correct, or acceptable : decent or correct in character, behavior, or appearance
respectable people
She comes from a very respectable family.
wearing respectable clothes
2
: fairly good
She makes a respectable [=decent] salary.
Her grades were respectable [=satisfactory] but not great.
Cite this Entry
“Respectable.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/respectable. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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