decent
//ˈdiː.sənt//
Forms
- Comparative
- more decent
- Superlative
- most decent
Definitions
1.Appropriate; suitable for the circumstances.
2.Having a suitable conformity to basic moral standards; showing integrity, fairness, or other characteristics associated with moral uprightness.
3.Sufficiently clothed or dressed to be seen.(informal)
- Are you decent? May I come in?
4.Fair; acceptable; okay.
- He's a decent saxophonist, but probably not good enough to make a career of it.
- And ‘blubbing’ . . Blubbing went out with ‘decent’ and ‘ripping’. Mind you, not a bad new language to start up. 1920s schoolboy slang could be due for a revival.
- I'm all for opening new stations (Transport Scotland is planning another at East Linton, about halfway between Drem and Dunbar), but they are useless without a decent service.
1.Misspelling of descent.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #3296
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French décent, or its source, Latin decēns, present participle of decet (“it is fitting or suitable”), from Proto-Indo-European *deḱ- (“to take, accept, to receive, greet, be suitable”) (compare Ancient Greek δοκέω (dokéō, “to appear, seem, think”), δέχομαι (dékhomai, “to accept”); Sanskrit दशस्यति (daśasyáti, “shows honor, is gracious”), दाशति (dāśati, “makes offerings, bestows”)).