decency
Americannoun
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the state or quality of being decent.
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conformity to the recognized standard of propriety, good taste, modesty, etc.
- Synonyms:
- gentility, respectability, decorum
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decencies,
noun
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conformity to the prevailing standards of propriety, morality, modesty, etc
-
the quality of being decent
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of decency
1560–70; < Latin decentia comeliness, decency, equivalent to decent- (stem of decēns ) fitting ( see decent) + -ia noun suffix
Explanation
The personal quality of decency is one of honesty, good manners, and respect for other people. Over time, decency has referred to manners, but today decency is mainly a strong sense of right and wrong, and a high standard of honesty. When a criminal or dictator does horrible things, people assume they have no sense of decency. When a tasteless or violent TV show becomes popular, some people wonder if society has lost its sense of decency. Asking "Have you no decency?" is a serious question, unless you're being silly and complaining about something like homework.
Vocabulary lists containing decency
Michelle Obama's Speech at the 2016 DNC
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"Ad Power," "Without Commercials," and "What's Wrong with Advertising"
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My Brother Sam is Dead
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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.
For years, efforts to hold social-media companies accountable ran into Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, which shields platforms from liability for content posted by users.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
Decency means being humble enough to acknowledge your own imperfections.
From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026
Actress Williams talked about her turn in the West End play The Devil Wears Prada, while comedian Allen discussed his new book, Common Decency.
From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026
You’re never seeing a movie alone when you bring your good friends Decency and Consideration along for the show.
From Salon • Jan. 1, 2025
By choice I do not consult the movie ratings of the Legion of Decency, and my reading is not curtailed by the Index.
From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez
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.
