Definitions for decent
ˈdi səntde·cent

Princeton's WordNet(3.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. decent, nice(adj)

   socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous

   "from a decent family"; "a nice girl"

2. becoming, comely, comme il faut, decent, decorous, seemly(adj)

   according with custom or propriety

   "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"

3. decent(adj)

   conforming to conventions of sexual behavior

   "speech in this circle, if not always decent, never became lewd"- George Santayana

4. adequate, decent, enough(adj)

   sufficient for the purpose

   "an adequate income"; "the food was adequate"; "a decent wage"; "enough food"; "food enough"

5. decent(adj)

   decently clothed

   "are you decent?"

6. decent(adverb)

   observing conventional sexual mores in speech or behavior or dress

   "a modest neckline in her dress"; "though one of her shoulder straps had slipped down, she was perfectly decent by current standards"

7. properly, decently, decent, in good order, right, the right way(adverb)

   in the right manner

   "please do your job properly!"; "can't you carry me decent?"

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. decent(Adjective)

   Appropriate; suitable for the circumstances.

   Etymology: From décent, or its source, decens, present participle of decet, from deke-, from base (compare Ancient Greek δοκεῖν, δέχεσθαι; Sanskrit , ). Meaning kind, pleasant is from 1902.

2. decent(Adjective)

   Having a suitable conformity to basic moral standards; showing integrity, fairness, or other characteristics associated with moral uprightness.

   Etymology: From décent, or its source, decens, present participle of decet, from deke-, from base (compare Ancient Greek δοκεῖν, δέχεσθαι; Sanskrit , ). Meaning kind, pleasant is from 1902.

3. decent(Adjective)

   Sufficiently clothed or dressed to be seen.

   Are you decent? May I come in?

   Etymology: From décent, or its source, decens, present participle of decet, from deke-, from base (compare Ancient Greek δοκεῖν, δέχεσθαι; Sanskrit , ). Meaning kind, pleasant is from 1902.

4. decent(Adjective)

   Fair; good enough; okay.

   He's a decent saxophonist, but probably not good enough to make a career of it.

   Etymology: From décent, or its source, decens, present participle of decet, from deke-, from base (compare Ancient Greek δοκεῖν, δέχεσθαι; Sanskrit , ). Meaning kind, pleasant is from 1902.

5. decent(Adjective)

   Significant; substantial.

   There are a decent number of references out there, if you can find them.

   Etymology: From décent, or its source, decens, present participle of decet, from deke-, from base (compare Ancient Greek δοκεῖν, δέχεσθαι; Sanskrit , ). Meaning kind, pleasant is from 1902.

6. decent(Adjective)

   Comely; shapely; well-formed.

   A sable stole of cyprus lawn / Over thy decent shoulders drawn uE000163484uE001 Milton.

   Etymology: From décent, or its source, decens, present participle of decet, from deke-, from base (compare Ancient Greek δοκεῖν, δέχεσθαι; Sanskrit , ). Meaning kind, pleasant is from 1902.

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Decent(adj)

   suitable in words, behavior, dress, or ceremony; becoming; fit; decorous; proper; seemly; as, decent conduct; decent language

   Etymology: [L. decens, decentis, p. pr. of decere to be fitting or becoming; akin to decus glory, honor, ornament, Gr. dokei^n to seem good, to seem, think; cf. Skr. d to grant, to give; and perh. akin to E. attire, tire: cf. F. dcent. Cf. Decorate, Decorum, Deign.]

2. Decent(adj)

   free from immodesty or obscenity; modest

   Etymology: [L. decens, decentis, p. pr. of decere to be fitting or becoming; akin to decus glory, honor, ornament, Gr. dokei^n to seem good, to seem, think; cf. Skr. d to grant, to give; and perh. akin to E. attire, tire: cf. F. dcent. Cf. Decorate, Decorum, Deign.]

3. Decent(adj)

   comely; shapely; well-formed

   Etymology: [L. decens, decentis, p. pr. of decere to be fitting or becoming; akin to decus glory, honor, ornament, Gr. dokei^n to seem good, to seem, think; cf. Skr. d to grant, to give; and perh. akin to E. attire, tire: cf. F. dcent. Cf. Decorate, Decorum, Deign.]

4. Decent(adj)

   moderate, but competent; sufficient; hence, respectable; fairly good; reasonably comfortable or satisfying; as, a decent fortune; a decent person

   Etymology: [L. decens, decentis, p. pr. of decere to be fitting or becoming; akin to decus glory, honor, ornament, Gr. dokei^n to seem good, to seem, think; cf. Skr. d to grant, to give; and perh. akin to E. attire, tire: cf. F. dcent. Cf. Decorate, Decorum, Deign.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Decent

   dē′sent, adj. becoming: seemly: proper: modest: moderate: tolerable.—n. Dē′cency, becomingness: modesty.—adv. Dē′cently. [L. decens, decentis, pr.p. of decēre, to be becoming.]

British National Corpus

1. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'decent' in Written Corpus Frequency: #2304

2. Adjectives Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'decent' in Adjectives Frequency: #643

Anagrams for decent »

1. cedent

How to pronounce decent?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say decent in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of decent in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of decent in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of decent in a Sentence

1. Dennis Kelleher:

   If Wall Street really cared about Main Street it would already act in Wall Street clients' best interest, rather than secretly pocketing tens of billions of dollars from hardworking Americans just trying to save for a decent retirement.

2. John McCain:

   Since this fringe movement can not attract the support of decent Americans, it resorts to impugning the character of a good man and outstanding soldier who has served honorably in uniform and sacrificed more for our country than any of his detractors ever have.

3. Andrew Yang:

   We have to actually start doing the work that activated people to vote for Donald Trump, that activated people to get out and vote for Bernie Sanders, i believe Joe is open to that message. His heart's in the right place. He's a really patriotic public servant, decent man.

4. Robert Cecil:

   We hear much of a decent pride, a becoming proud, a noble pride, a laudable pride. Can that be decent, of which we ought to be ashamed? Can that be becoming, of which God has set forth the deformity? Can that be noble which God resists and is determined to abase? Can that be laudable, which God call abominable.

5. Jeff Powell:

   From a technical perspective, we are at a level which if we don't hold, we're in big trouble and even decent earnings are probably going to be overlooked.

Images & Illustrations of decent

Popularity rank by frequency of use