decent Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
    nice.
    • from a decent family
    • a nice girl
  2. adjective satellite according with custom or propriety
    comme il faut; becoming; seemly; comely; decorous.
    • her becoming modesty
    • comely behavior
    • it is not comme il faut for a gentleman to be constantly asking for money
    • a decent burial
    • seemly behavior
  3. adjective conforming to conventions of sexual behavior
    • speech in this circle, if not always decent, never became lewd"- George Santayana
  4. adjective satellite sufficient for the purpose
    adequate; enough.
    • an adequate income
    • the food was adequate
    • a decent wage
    • enough food
    • food enough
  5. adjective satellite decently clothed
    • are you decent?
  6. adjective satellite observing conventional sexual mores in speech or behavior or dress
    • a modest neckline in her dress
    • though one of her shoulder straps had slipped down, she was perfectly decent by current standards
  7. adverb in the right manner
    right; in good order; decently; properly; the right way.
    • please do your job properly!
    • can't you carry me decent?

WordNet

De"cent adjective
Etymology
L. decens, decentis, p. pr. of decere to be fitting or becoming; akin to decus glory, honor, ornament, Gr. to seem good, to seem, think; cf. Skr. dc to grant, to give; and perh. akin to E. attire, tire: cf. F. décent. Cf. Decorate, Decorum, Deig.
Definitions
  1. Suitable in words, behavior, dress, or ceremony; becoming; fit; decorous; proper; seemly; as, decent conduct; decent language. Shak.
    Before his decent steps. Milton.
  2. Free from immodesty or obscenity; modest.
  3. Comely; shapely; well-formed. Archaic
    A sable stole of cyprus lawn Over thy decent shoulders drawn. Milton.
    By foreign hands thy decent limbs composed. Pope.
  4. Moderate, but competent; sufficient; hence, respectable; fairly good; reasonably comfortable or satisfying; as, a decent fortune; a decent person.
    A decent retreat in the mutability of human affairs. Burke.
    -- De"cent*ly, adv. -- De"cent*ness, n.

Webster 1913