DECENT
| Pronunciation (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does decent mean?
• DECENT (adjective)
The adjective DECENT has 6 senses:
1. socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
2. according with custom or propriety
3. conforming to conventions of sexual behavior
4. enough to meet a purpose
5. decently clothed
6. observing conventional sexual mores in speech or behavior or dress
Familiarity information: DECENT used as an adjective is common.
• DECENT (adverb)
The adverb DECENT has 1 sense:
1. in the right manner
Familiarity information: DECENT used as an adverb is very rare.
Dictionary entry details
• DECENT (adjective)
Meaning:
Socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
Synonyms:
decent; nice
Context examples:
from a decent family / a nice girl
Similar:
respectable (characterized by proper behavior or conventional conduct; worthy of respect)
Meaning:
According with custom or propriety
Synonyms:
seemly; comme il faut; comely; becoming; decent; decorous
Context examples:
her becoming modesty / comely behavior / it is not comme il faut for a gentleman to be constantly asking for money / a decent burial / seemly behavior
Similar:
proper (marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness)
Meaning:
Conforming to conventions of sexual behavior
Context example:
speech in this circle, if not always decent, never became lewd
Also:
clean; unobjectionable ((of behavior or especially language) free from objectionable elements; fit for all observers)
decorous (characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct)
proper (marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness)
Antonym:
indecent (offensive to good taste especially in sexual matters)
Meaning:
Enough to meet a purpose
Synonyms:
enough; adequate; decent
Context examples:
an adequate income / the food was adequate / a decent wage / enough food / food enough
Similar:
sufficient (of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant)
Meaning:
Decently clothed
Context example:
are you decent?
Similar:
modest (not offensive to sexual mores in conduct or appearance)
Domain usage:
colloquialism (a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech)
Meaning:
Observing conventional sexual mores in speech or behavior or dress
Context examples:
a modest neckline in her dress / though one of her shoulder straps had slipped down, she was perfectly decent by current standards
Similar:
modest (not offensive to sexual mores in conduct or appearance)
• DECENT (adverb)
Meaning:
In the right manner
Synonyms:
decent; in good order; properly; the right way; decently; right
Context examples:
please do your job properly! / can't you carry me decent?
