respectability
Americannoun
plural
respectabilities-
the state or quality of being respectable.
-
respectable social standing, character, or reputation.
-
a respectable person or persons.
-
respectabilities, things accepted as respectable.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of respectability
First recorded in 1775–85; respectable + -ity
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Respectability and fear made secrecy feel like protection.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025
“Anti Social Black Girl: It’s like, Respectability politics? I don’t owe you kindness.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2022
“The best way is to harmonize our feelings as much as possible and to treat all men respectfully. Respectability will always gain respect.”
From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018
Respectability came along with rules meant to curb the excesses of early fights and getting approval from each state’s athletic commission.
From New York Times • Jul. 11, 2016
Respectability is different than it was fifty years ago.
From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
