respectable

American  

[ri-spek-tuh-buhl] / rɪˈspɛk tə bəl /

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.

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respectable British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of respectable

First recorded in 1580–90; respect + -able

Explanation

Something or someone respectable is honest, good, and proper. Respectable behavior includes things like contributing to charity, volunteering at an animal shelter, and helping your friends study vocabulary. Anything or anyone respectable deserves respect for being honorable or moral. If you return a wallet that you find on the street, that’s respectable behavior. People would probably view you as a respectable person. However, if you removed all the money from the wallet before returning it, that’s not respectable. Respectable can also be used to describe to an adequate or large amount of something. If you return the wallet untouched, you might get a respectable sum as a reward.

Example Sentences

I got a very respectable, but terribly boring day job, because I talked my way into the interview and was like, “Yeah, I can totally do data analytics.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

I could never drive the ball that far, but at one time, I sported a respectable 6 handicap.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

The move is risky, and it will be quarrelsome — especially for those who still see Zendaya as an idyllic Disney star, despite her respectable penchant for complicated characters.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Citigroup, a global banking behemoth, posted a respectable 52% gain over the past year and trades 12% below its most recent 52-week high.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

Yet, she met respectable friends in Rochester, and grew from a child bride into a competent woman.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

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