respectable
rih-SPEHK-tuh-bl
Respectable (adj) means Regarded well by others; proper and decent in behavior or appearance. Example: “She comes from a respectable family with no history of scandal.”
adj
1
Regarded well by others; proper and decent in behavior or appearance.
"She comes from a respectable family with no history of scandal."
"He wore a respectable suit to the interview."
"The neighbours were a quiet, respectable couple who always said good morning."
2
Fairly good in size, quality, or amount; decent though not outstanding.
"The team put up a respectable score despite losing the match."
"He earns a respectable salary as a mid-level manager."
"The shop made a respectable profit in its first year, which pleased the owner."
How to use respectable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDecent and proper — either in reputation, or in the sense of "good enough to be taken seriously."
Common pairings
a respectable distance
respectable results
perfectly respectable
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Word forms
- Plural
- respectables
- Comparative
- more respectable
- Superlative
- most respectable
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She comes from a _____ family with no history of scandal.
Etymology
From respect plus -able, meaning literally "worthy of respect."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for respectable
See all rhymes for respectable →Frequently asked questions
What does “respectable” mean?
The word “respectable” means regarded well by others; proper and decent in behavior or appearance. In plain terms, decent and proper — either in reputation, or in the sense of "good enough to be taken seriously.".
How do you pronounce “respectable”?
“Respectable” is pronounced rih-SPEHK-tuh-bl ([ɹɪˈspɛk.tə.bl̩] in IPA).
How do you use “respectable” in a sentence?
Here is “respectable” used in a sentence: “She comes from a respectable family with no history of scandal.”
What is another word for “respectable”?
Words with a similar meaning to “respectable” include honorable, savory, admirable, commendable, allowable and creditable.
What is the opposite of “respectable”?
The opposite of “respectable” — its antonyms — are contemptible, disrespectable, despicable, unrespectable and unfamous.
What part of speech is “respectable”?
“Respectable” is an adjective.
Is “respectable” a common word?
“Respectable” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “respectable” have?
“Respectable” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: regarded well by others; proper and decent in behavior or appearance.
What is the difference between "respectable" and "respectful"?
"Respectable" describes someone or something that is regarded well by others, proper and decent in behavior or appearance, or a fairly good result or amount. "Respectful" describes someone showing consideration, courtesy, and regard toward others, which is a distinct quality of behavior rather than reputation.
What does it mean to describe a result as "respectable"?
When a result, score, or amount is described as "respectable," it means it is fairly good in size, quality, or amount, decent though not outstanding. For example, a respectable salary is solidly acceptable without being exceptional.
Is "respectable" a formal word?
"Respectable" is commonly used in both formal and everyday English to describe behavior, appearance, or achievements that meet a decent standard of propriety or quality. It is not restricted to formal writing and appears frequently in casual conversation as well.
