decent
Appropriate; suitable for the circumstances.
Adjective 4 meanings
Appropriate; suitable for the circumstances.
Having a suitable conformity to basic moral standards; showing integrity, fairness, or other characteristics associated with moral uprightness.
“Zohran Mamdani is a decent man for not accepting the pay rise he’s entitled to, as he wishes to see that money go to the poor of New York.”
Sufficiently clothed or dressed to be seen.
“Are you decent? May I come in?”
Fair; acceptable; okay.
“He's a decent saxophonist, but probably not good enough to make a career of it.”
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, “to appear, seem, think”), δέχομαι (dékhomai, “to accept”); Sanskrit दशस्यति (daśasyáti, “shows honor, is gracious”), दाशति (dāśati, “makes offerings, bestows”)).
Similar and opposite words
DECENT at a glance
DECENT has 6 letters and scores 9 points in Scrabble (D 2 + E 1 + C 3 + E 1 + N 1 + T 1) and 11 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #3,547 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with decent
All rhymesOne letter away
- RECENT8
- DECEIT9
- DOCENT9
- DECANT9
- DETENT7
- DEMENT9
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