respectability

American

[ri-spek-tuh-bil-i-tee] / rɪˌspɛk təˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

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

nonrespectability noun
prerespectability noun
semirespectability noun
superrespectability noun
unrespectability noun

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.

Dig beneath that and - barring a trip to Fantasyland in which Spurs win the Champions League - the rest of this season is now a quest for respectability, and for Frank, survival.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026

His job is to find someone to lead a 3-14 team, outscored by 191 points this season, and drag it back to something approaching respectability.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 6, 2026

Seamer Matt Henry took 4-43 as the West Indies top order once again failed to fire, with only Roston Chase's 38 in the middle order giving the total any sense of respectability at Seddon Park.

From Barron's • Nov. 22, 2025

It often arrives dressed in intellectual respectability framed as concern, skepticism or “just asking questions.”

From Salon • Oct. 10, 2025

The climate was right to begin a program that would lead them to economic respectability.

From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023