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| Date: | 1500-1600 |
| Language: | French |
| Origin: | décent, from Latin decens, the present participle of decere 'to be suitable' |
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de‧cent S2
1 [usually before noun] of a good enough standard or quality : 
a decent salaryDon't you have a decent jacket?
a decent salaryDon't you have a decent jacket?2 following moral standards that are acceptable to society [↪ decency] a decent burial Paul visited the local bars more frequently than was decent for a senior lecturer.
a decent burialPaul visited the local bars more frequently than was decent for a senior lecturer.3 [usually before noun] treating people in a fair and kind way : I decided her father was a decent guy after all.
I decided her father was a decent guy after all.4 wearing enough clothes so that you do not show too much of your body - used humorously : Are you decent? Can I come in?
Are you decent? Can I come in? —decently adverb
WORD FOCUS: good WORD FOCUS: good very good: excellent, fantastic, wonderful, great, terrific, neat American English, superb, amazing, outstanding, brilliant, impressive, fine, first-class, out of this world
of good quality: high quality, top quality, superior, deluxe, classy
morally good: decent, virtuous, respectable, honourable British English/honorable American English, upright, beyond reproach
➔ See also good
