decent

Everyday

1. Decent means good enough, of an acceptable or fairly good quality. tree →
2. A decent person is honest, kind and fair to others. tree →
3. Decent means polite and respectable, following what people think is proper. tree →
4. (informal) Are you decent? means "Are you dressed?" (so someone can come in). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life it praises things or people in a calm way ("a decent meal", "a decent bloke"). In ethics lessons, "the decent thing to do" means the fair, kind choice. In UK and Australian slang, «decent» can mean "really good". Phrases: «a decent person», «do the decent thing», «a decent amount», «decent of you», «Are you decent?».

Examples

• We had a decent lunch at the café. tree →
• He's a decent kid; he always helps others. tree →
• It was decent of you to share your crisps. tree →
• Get a decent night's sleep before the test. tree →
• "Can I come in? Are you decent?" "Yes, I'm dressed!" tree →
• The decent thing would be to say sorry. tree →
• She got a decent mark in maths. tree →
• He then asked that the heads should be removed from the battlements and given decent burial. tree →

Note

Pronounced DEE-sent. Do not confuse with «descent» (going down, di-SENT) or «dissent» (disagreement). Opposite: indecent (rude, improper), which is a strong word. Noun: decency.