decency

[ dee-suhn-see ]

See synonyms for decency on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural de·cen·cies.

the state or quality of being decent.
conformity to the recognized standard of propriety, good taste, modesty, etc.

decencies,
- the recognized standards of decent or proper behavior; proprieties: The least you can expect from them is some respect for the decencies.
- the requirements or amenities for decent or comfortable living: to be able to afford the decencies.

Origin of decency

1560–70; <Latin decentia comeliness, decency, equivalent to decent- (stem of decēns) fitting (see decent) + -ia noun suffix

Other words for decency

2	decorum, respectability, gentility

See synonyms for decency on Thesaurus.com

Words Nearby decency

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use decency in a sentence

Everyone is entitled to be treated with basic decency and respect.
The GOP’s Hidden Ban on Prison Abortions | Harold Pollack | December 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Indeed, they view us as children who can never adhere to the standards of civility and decency to which they hold other groups.
Dear White People: Well-Meaning Paternalism Is Still Racist | Chloé Valdary | December 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
And equal to Bunning in decency, honesty, fullness of thought, and forwardly straight talk was Rick Robinson.
Up to a Point: In Defense of Lobbyists | P. J. O’Rourke | October 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Faith is decency… if I were a cow I would be wearing a bra.
Beirut Letter: In Lebanon, Fighting ISIS With Culture and Satire | Kim Ghattas | September 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
To view these nudes is not quite to abet evil, but it is to undermine decency.
From ISIS Videos to JLaw Nudes, When Is Looking Abetting Evil? | Michael Daly | September 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

A feeling of pity for mademoiselle—perhaps of no more than decency—now overcame Marius.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini
Those required to sustain life and preserve decency, besides other things to maintain her in her social condition.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney Bolles
Then the talk fell into decency after the regulation merriment had greeted Mr. Preston's closing effort.
The Chequers | James Runciman
Sure, every young man with a spark of decency in him must have felt as generous as yourself at some time or other in his life.
The Whale and the Grasshopper | Seumas O'Brien
But decency, the behaviour of a gentleman, to act as a gentleman under every circumstance—that is a kind of religion with me!
The Everlasting Arms | Joseph Hocking

British Dictionary definitions for decency

decency

/ (ˈdiːsənsɪ) /

nounplural -cies

conformity to the prevailing standards of propriety, morality, modesty, etc
the quality of being decent

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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