Definition of DECENT

decent

Meanings

Plural: decents

Adjective Satellite

  • socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
    • "from a decent family"
  • according with custom or propriety
    • "a decent burial"
  • sufficient for the purpose
    • "a decent wage"
  • decently clothed
    • "are you decent?"
  • observing conventional sexual mores in speech or behavior or dress
    • "though one of her shoulder straps had slipped down, she was perfectly decent by current standards"

Adjective

  • conforming to conventions of sexual behavior; - George Santayana
    • "speech in this circle, if not always decent, never became lewd"

Adverb

  • in the right manner
    • "can't you carry me decent?"

Adj

  • Appropriate; suitable for the circumstances.
  • Having a suitable conformity to basic moral standards; showing integrity, fairness, or other characteristics associated with moral uprightness.
  • Sufficiently clothed or dressed to be seen.
  • Fair; acceptable; okay.
  • Significant; substantial.
  • Conforming to perceived standards of good taste.
  • Comely; shapely; well-formed.

Noun

  • Misspelling of descent.

Origin / Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French décent, or its source, Latin decēns, present participle of decet (“it is fitting or suitable”), from Proto-Indo-European *deḱ- (“to take, accept, to receive, greet, be suitable”) (compare Ancient Greek δοκέω (dokéō, “I appear, seem, think”), δέχομαι (dékhomai, “I accept”); Sanskrit दशस्यति (daśasyáti, “shows honor, is gracious”), दाशति (dāśati, “makes offerings, bestows”)). Meaning ‘kind, pleasant’ is from 1902.

Synonyms

adequate, becoming, comely, comme il faut, decently, decorous, enough, good, in good order, moral, nice, properly, right, satisfactory, seemly, the right way

Scrabble Score: 9

decent is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
decent is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
decent is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 11

decent is a valid Words With Friends word