decency

American  

[dee-suhn-see] / ˈdi sən si /

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.

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decency British  

/ ˈdiːsənsɪ /

noun

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

2. the quality of being decent

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Etymology

Origin of decency

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

Example Sentences

As Malcolm Bryan, president of the Atlanta Fed in the late 1950s, said: “We should have the decency to say to the money saver, ‘Hold still, Little Fish!

From The Wall Street Journal

“The majority of Americans still believe in decency,” Obama said, adding that the normalization of racist and dehumanizing content reflects a dangerous loss of civic responsibility.

From Salon

But Obama said that while travelling around the US, he found himself meeting people who "still believe in decency, courtesy, kindness".

From BBC

Lisa-Marie Anne is still with him, but she had the decency to detach from his waist.

From Literature

In a witness statement, Sir Elton described the press intrusions - which also included article's about his own health - as "outside even the most basic standards of human decency".

From BBC

Related Words

• civility
• correctness
• courtesy
• decorum
• dignity
• good manners
• honesty
• modesty
• propriety
• righteousness
• virtue