51Թ

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View synonyms for

decent

[ dee-suhnt ]

adjective

  1. conforming to the recognized standard of propriety, good taste, modesty, etc., as in behavior or speech.

    Synonyms: , ,

    Antonyms:

  2. respectable; worthy:

    a decent family.

  3. adequate; fair; passable:

    a decent wage.

  4. kind; obliging; generous:

    It was very decent of him to lend me his watch.

  5. suitable; appropriate:

    She did not have a decent coat for the cold winter.

    Synonyms: , ,

    Antonyms:

  6. of fairly attractive appearance:

    a decent face.

  7. Informal. wearing enough clothing to appear in public.
  8. Slang. great; wonderful.


decent

/ ˈ徱ːəԳ /

adjective

  1. polite or respectable

    a decent family

  2. proper and suitable; fitting

    a decent burial

  3. conforming to conventions of sexual behaviour; not indecent
  4. free of oaths, blasphemy, etc

    decent language

  5. good or adequate

    a decent wage

  6. informal.
    kind; generous

    he was pretty decent to me

  7. informal.
    sufficiently clothed to be seen by other people

    are you decent?

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ𳦱Գٱ, adverb
  • ˈ𳦱ԳٲԱ, noun
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • cԳ· adverb
  • cԳ·Ա noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of decent1

First recorded in 1485–95; from Latin decent-, stem of ŧԲ “fitting,” present participle of ŧ “to be acceptable, be fitting”; akin to decus “honor” ( decorous )
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of decent1

C16: from Latin ŧԲ suitable, from ŧ to be fitting
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

That Chelsea midfield is starting to click and he will have a decent end to the season.

From

"He had a decent season last year and I think he is a very competitive driver."

From

The Toffees do go into this game in decent form, however.

From

“The Friend” is a decent film, but it’s even more effective as a cautionary tale for new dog owners.

From

Crystal Palace won at Craven Cottage at the end of February and it is a ground where they have a decent record - they haven't lost there in their past six visits, since 2005.

From

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Decent Vs. Descent

What’s the difference between decent and descent?

Decent is an adjective that means adequate or suitable, as in a decent meal, or good or respectable, as in a decent person. Descent is a noun that means the act of moving downward (descending), a downward movement, or downward movement in general.

Despite their similar spelling, the two words are pronounced differently. In decent, the emphasis is on the first part of the word, which is pronounced like dee. In descent, the emphasis is on the -scent part of the word, with the first part pronounced like dih.

So how can you remember which one gets the s? Dropping the s is the decent thing to do, but you should pick it back up for your descent.

Here’s an example of descent and dissent used correctly in a sentence.

Example: The climbers decided to make the descent while the weather was still decent.

Quiz yourself on decent vs. descent!

Should decent or descent be used in the following sentence?

The plane’s rapid _____ was caused by a faulty engine.

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