respectable

[ri-spek-tuh-buhl]

adjective

1. worthy of respect or esteem; estimable; worthy.

   a respectable citizen.

   Synonyms: honorable

2. of good social standing, reputation, etc..

   a respectable neighborhood.

3. suitable or good enough to be seen or used.

   respectable clothes; respectable language.

4. of moderate excellence; fairly good; fair.

   a respectable performance.

   Synonyms: passable, middling

5. appreciable in size, number, or amount.

   a respectable turnout.

respectable

/ rɪˈspɛktəbəl /

adjective

1. having or deserving the respect of other people; estimable; worthy

2. having good social standing or reputation

3. having socially or conventionally acceptable morals, standards, etc

   a respectable woman

4. relatively or fairly good; considerable

   a respectable salary

5. fit to be seen by other people; presentable

Other Word Forms

• respectableness noun
• respectably adverb
• nonrespectable adjective
• nonrespectableness noun
• nonrespectably adverb
• prerespectable adjective
• quasi-respectable adjective
• quasi-respectably adverb
• semirespectable adjective
• superrespectable adjective
• superrespectableness noun
• superrespectably adverb
• ultrarespectable adjective
• ultrarespectably adverb
• ultrarespectableness noun
• unrespectable adjective
• respectability noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of respectable¹

First recorded in 1580–90; respect + -able

Example Sentences

Though more respectable than factory work, pay remained low and advancement rare.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It would have to be someone quick and close-lipped, for once rumors of those foul-smelling, inedible loaves spread, no respectable baker would dare come to Ashton Place for fear of the dreaded “bakehouse curse.”

Read more on Literature

Root has played 14 Tests in Australia and scored 892 runs, a respectable return.

Read more on BBC

It’s a respectable fund with a small corner dedicated to hunting for value in the margins.

Read more on MarketWatch

If they succeed in making racism respectable again, they will be the ruin of America.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• appropriate 
• creditable 
• decent 
• honorable 
• mediocre 
• modest 
• ordinary 
• proper 
• satisfactory 
• tolerable 
• upright