respectable

1 of 2

adjective

re·​spect·​able ri-ˈspek-tə-bəl How to pronounce respectable (audio)
1
: worthy of respect : estimable
2
: decent or correct in character or behavior : proper
3
a
: fair in size or quantity
a respectable amount
b
: moderately good : tolerable
4
: fit to be seen : presentable
respectable clothes
respectability noun
respectableness noun
respectably adverb

respectable

2 of 2

noun

: a respectable person

Examples of respectable in a Sentence

Adjective She comes from a very respectable family. no respectable dietician would advise people to eat just one kind of food
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Rooms were also equipped with a Nespresso machine and a respectable selection of quality pods. Keyaira Boone, Essence, 22 Sep. 2023 The Patriots held the Eagles to a respectable 97 rushing yards on 25 carries, but the run defense had no answers for Mostert Sunday night. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023 The Cowboys will control the game, but the Jets will keep the margin respectable. Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 15 Sep. 2023 Raw, but talented starting pitching, a respectable bullpen and a young offense that will hit for a decent average, but desperately needs power throughout the lineup. Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 22 Aug. 2023 In his varsity debut, the freshman from North Andover shot a 2-under par 34 to lead the Eagles to a 51-21 victory and followed it up with a respectable 2-over-par 37 in a win over Weston. Khalin Kapoor, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023 At the track, this model made the sprint to 60 mph in a respectable 6.2 seconds. Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 8 Sep. 2023 The Netflix drama earned a respectable 5-minute standing ovation at its screening on the Lido on Sunday night. Fassbender and co-star Tilda Swinton couldn’t attend the premiere because of the SAG-AFTRA strike. Zack Sharf, Variety, 3 Sep. 2023 The gross domestic product -- the economy's total output of goods and services -- rose at a respectable 2.1% annual rate from April to June. Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 2023
Noun
Shaken respectables thought the Paris Commune had crossed the Atlantic. Sean Wilentz, New York Times, 19 Sep. 2017 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'respectable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1814, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of respectable was in 1599

Dictionary Entries Near respectable

Cite this Entry

“Respectable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respectable. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

respectable

adjective
re·​spect·​able
ri-ˈspek-tə-bəl
1
: worthy of respect : reputable
2
: decent or correct in character or behavior : proper
respectable people
3
: fair in size, quality, or quantity
a respectable amount of money
4
: fit to be seen : presentable
respectable clothes
respectability
-ˌspek-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē
noun
respectableness
-ˈspek-tə-bəl-nəs
noun
respectably
-blē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on respectable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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