Decent | Definition of decent by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of DECENT

1

archaic

a : appropriate

b : well-formed : handsome

2

a : conforming to standards of propriety, good taste, or morality <decent behavior>

b : modestly clothed

3

: free from immodesty or obscenity <decent language>

4

: fairly good : adequate, satisfactory <decent wages>

5

: marked by moral integrity, kindness, and goodwill <hard-working and decent folks> <it's very decent of them to help>

— de·cent·ly adverb

See decent defined for English-language learners

See decent defined for kids

Examples of DECENT

Not long afterward, his father's health starts to fail. Mrs. Queenan has kicked him out, and he's landed in a flophouse. When word reaches Joe, he takes out his checkbook and moves his father into a decent apartment. —James McManus, New York Times Book Review, 26 Apr. 2009
In a whiney, rambling speech at his sentencing he took a page from the script of the earlier case, once again portraying himself as a flawed but decent man unfairly caught up in circumstances. —Bill Hewitt et al., People, 22 Dec. 2008
Tommy Railles, the doctor's boy. Just a great kid. Smart at school, a decent athlete, great with the girls, wonderful with older people. —Ward Just, Forgetfulness, (2006) 2007
The next time an overly friendly blond sidles up in a crowded bar and asks you to order her a brand-name martini, or a cheery tourist couple wonder whether you can take their picture with their sleek new camera-in-a-cell phone, you might want to think twice. There's a —decentchance that these strangers are pitchmen in disguise, paid to oh-so-subtly pique your interest in their product. —Paul McFedries, Word Spy, 2004
[+]more [-]hide

Origin of DECENT

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin decent-, decens, present participle of decēre to be fitting; akin to Latin decus honor, dignus worthy, Greek dokein to seem, seem good

First Known Use: 1539

Related to DECENT

Synonyms: all right, good, ethical, honest, honorable, just, moral, nice, right, righteous, right-minded, straight, true, upright, virtuous

Antonyms: bad, black, dishonest, dishonorable, evil, evil-minded, immoral, indecent, sinful, unethical, unrighteous, wicked, wrong

Synonym Discussion of DECENT

chaste, pure, modest, decent mean free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious. chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows <they maintained chaste relations>. pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions <the pure of heart>. modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity <preferred more modest swimsuits> <decent people didn't go to such movies>.