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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Decent: Definition, Common Uses & Example Sentences (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：acceptable or satisfactory (decent)

decent 🔊

/ˈdiːs(ə)nt/

adj.

Good enough to be acceptable, not great but not bad either.

Decent meaning illustrated: a satisfactory and comfortable living space.

acceptable or satisfactory 🔊

➕

/əkˈseptəbl̩ ɔː ˌsætɪsˈfæktəri/

adj.

Describes something that is of an acceptable standard or quality, good enough for its purpose without being exceptional.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'decere' (to be fitting, proper). The '-ent' suffix indicates a state or quality.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a 'decent person' who acts with decorum and is respected, linking 'decent' to social acceptance and adequacy.

📖 Example

After looking at ten apartments, we finally found one with a decent size and a reasonable rent. 🔊 Following a search of ten apartments, we eventually located one that had an acceptable size and a fair rental price.

🔗 Collocations

decent job – an adequate or satisfactory performance or piece of work

a decent living – an income sufficient to afford a comfortable standard of life

decent enough – fairly good or satisfactory

🔄 Synonyms

adequate (adj.) – Sufficient to meet a minimum requirement or need.

satisfactory (adj.) – Fulfilling expectations or needs, acceptable.

acceptable (adj.) – Able to be agreed on; suitable, though perhaps not ideal.

🚫 Antonyms

terrible (adj.) – Extremely bad or poor in quality.

awful (adj.) – Very bad or unpleasant.

substandard (adj.) – Below the usual or required standard.

🌱 Derivatives

decency (n.) – The quality of being decent, conforming to accepted standards.

decently (adv.) – In a decent manner; to an acceptable or satisfactory degree.

📖 Cultural Story

The word entered English from Old French 'decent' in the late 16th century, itself from Latin 'decens'. It originally referred to what is suitable or proper, connecting to notions of etiquette and social appropriateness. Its use to mean 'tolerably good' became common in the 17th century.

Meaning 2：proper or respectable (decent)

decent 🔊

/ˈdiːs(ə)nt/

adj.

Socially acceptable and proper in behavior or appearance.

Decent behavior example: a person in respectable attire checking appearance.

proper or respectable 🔊

➕

/ˈprɒpə ɔː rɪˈspektəbl̩/

adj.

Refers to behavior, appearance, or actions that conform to accepted social standards of propriety, modesty, or good taste.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

For the job interview, make sure you wear decent clothes, like a shirt and trousers, to make a good impression. 🔊 To create a positive impact during the job interview, ensure you are dressed in appropriate attire, such as a shirt and trousers.

🔗 Collocations

decent behavior – conduct that is morally and socially acceptable

decent attire – clothing that is suitable and proper for an occasion

a decent interval – a socially acceptable period of time between events

🔄 Synonyms

respectable (adj.) – Regarded by society as being proper, correct, and good.

proper (adj.) – Following established rules or conventions; correct.

seemly (adj.) – Conforming to propriety or good taste; suitable.

🚫 Antonyms

indecent (adj.) – Not conforming with generally accepted standards of behavior, especially in relation to sexual matters.

improper (adj.) – Not in accordance with accepted rules or standards.

unseemly (adj.) – Not proper or appropriate for the situation.