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adj

decent

DEE-suhnt
adj
1
Morally proper and respectable; showing honesty and fairness.
"He's a decent man who always keeps his word."
2
Reasonably good or acceptable in quality or amount.
"They offered her a decent salary for the position."
"We had a decent meal at the airport before our flight."
3
Wearing enough clothing to be seen by others.
"Give me a minute to get decent before you come in."

How to Use Decent

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGood enough, proper, or morally sound — a flexible word used for people, quality, and being dressed appropriately.

When to use it

"Decent" meaning simply "quite good" (a decent meal, a decent job) is informal and very common in everyday British and American speech.

Common pairings
a decent job decent pay decent person get decent

Word Forms

more decent comparative, most decent superlative

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He's a _____ man who always keeps his word.

Etymology

From Latin decens, "fitting, suitable," from decet, "it is proper."

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial