decency

[dee-suhn-see]

noun

plural

decencies 

1. the state or quality of being decent.

2. conformity to the recognized standard of propriety, good taste, modesty, etc.

   Synonyms: gentility, respectability, decorum

3. decencies,

   1. the recognized standards of decent or proper behavior; proprieties.

      The least you can expect from them is some respect for the decencies.

   2. the requirements or amenities for decent or comfortable living.

      to be able to afford the decencies.

decency

/ ˈdiːsənsɪ /

noun

1. conformity to the prevailing standards of propriety, morality, modesty, etc

2. the quality of being decent

Word History and Origins

Origin of decency¹

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

Example Sentences

In other words, what Johnny Cash lacked in chicness he more than made up for with principled decency.

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Comporting oneself at a golf tournament should be a matter of basic human decency, like holding a door, not spoiling a movie ending, and not asking a Mets fan how the baseball playoffs are going.

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Using professional norms and human decency as your guide, can you guess what Dhillon did in the aftermath of the fire?

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I am just so tired of begging these lawmakers for basic human decency,” Nardone said, noting that she refuses to ever be pregnant again in South Carolina.

Read more on Salon

The combination of billionaire rabble and basement-dwelling rabble is a time-tested method for destroying democracy, as well as rationality and common decency.

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Related Words

• civility 
• correctness 
• courtesy 
• decorum 
• dignity 
• good manners www.thesaurus.com
• honesty 
• modesty 
• propriety 
• righteousness 
• virtue