decent

American  

[dee-suhnt] / ˈdi sənt /

adjective

1. conforming to the recognized standard of propriety, good taste, modesty, etc., as in behavior or speech.

   Synonyms:

   decorous, proper, seemly

   Antonyms:

   unseemly

2. respectable; worthy.

   a decent family.

3. adequate; fair; passable.

   a decent wage.

4. kind; obliging; generous.

   It was very decent of him to lend me his watch.

5. suitable; appropriate.

   She did not have a decent coat for the cold winter.

   Synonyms:

   becoming, fit, apt

   Antonyms:

   inappropriate

6. of fairly attractive appearance.

   a decent face.

7. Informal. wearing enough clothing to appear in public.

8. Slang. great; wonderful.

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decent British  

/ ˈdiːsənt /

adjective

1. polite or respectable

   a decent family

2. proper and suitable; fitting

   a decent burial

3. conforming to conventions of sexual behaviour; not indecent

4. free of oaths, blasphemy, etc

   decent language

5. good or adequate

   a decent wage

6. informal kind; generous

   he was pretty decent to me

7. informal sufficiently clothed to be seen by other people

   are you decent?

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Usage

What’s the difference between decent and descent? Decent is an adjective that means adequate or suitable, as in a decent meal, or good or respectable, as in a decent person. Descent is a noun that means the act of moving downward (descending), a downward movement, or downward movement in general. Despite their similar spelling, the two words are pronounced differently. In decent, the emphasis is on the first part of the word, which is pronounced like dee. In descent, the emphasis is on the -scent part of the word, with the first part pronounced like dih. So how can you remember which one gets the s? Dropping the s is the decent thing to do, but you should pick it back up for your descent. Here’s an example of descent and dissent used correctly in a sentence. Example: The climbers decided to make the descent while the weather was still decent.

Other Word Forms

• decently adverb
• decentness noun

Etymology

Origin of decent

First recorded in 1485–95; from Latin decent-, stem of decēns “fitting,” present participle of decēre “to be acceptable, be fitting”; akin to decus “honor” ( see decorous)

Explanation

The adjective decent means sufficient or acceptable. The local diner you like to frequent may not serve a four-star breakfast, but it probably has decent food. Though the concept is a little dated, people of "decent society" are socially correct. They don't break the law, behave rudely, use impolite language, or wear inappropriate clothing. Decent can also mean "nice": Holding the door for a woman with a stroller is the decent thing to do. Lastly, decent can also mean "appropriately clothed" (or just "not naked"). If a stranger is knocking on your door, you're probably not going to answer it until you're decent.

Example Sentences

No. It was the gulf between the expectations, even among Democrats, that she might be a decent pick for the job, and the reality.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

The lender’s 1Q non-interest income was likely lifted by decent momentum on fee income from wealth structured products and active trading on investments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

As Paul Waldman wrote Thursday in The Cross Section, in a halfway decent political system Simmons should be “settling into a comfortable retirement.”

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2026

"If this is the future, how will we ever live a decent life - or save anything for our children?"

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

If we give chronology the decent respect it is due, it is clear that Madison's thinking began to change before Jefferson returned to the scene.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Related Words

• correct
• good
• honest
• honorable
• modest
• noble
• polite
• proper
• prudent
• trustworthy