decency

noun

de·​cen·​cy ˈdē-sᵊn-sē 

plural decencies

1

a

: the quality or state of being decent : propriety

b

: conformity to standards of taste, propriety, or quality

2

: standard of propriety

—usually used in plural

3

decencies plural : conditions or services considered essential for a proper standard of living

4

: literary decorum

5

archaic

a

: fitness

b

: orderliness

Synonyms

• decorum
• form
• propriety

Examples of decency in a Sentence

Decency, not fear of punishment, caused them to do the right thing.

Sending aid to the victims was simply a matter of common decency.

If you're going to be late, please have the decency to call and let me know.

Have you no sense of decency?

He had been taught to observe the ordinary decencies.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ridley Scott gave Gladiator the kind of scope and muscularity appropriate for a swords-and-sandals epic, and Crowe’s rugged decency made for an inspiring underdog. —Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025

Thoughtful and decent people learn to keep their thoughts and their decency to themselves, or limited to a very small circle of friends. —Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

Tracing Josiah’s trajectory from lumberjack to shipyard riveter to ambitious serviceman, Wang offers a protagonist of unflappable morality and decency. —The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

There are personal vendettas framed as political positions and political positions rooted in a plea for human decency. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 5a

Rhymes for decency

• recency
• indecency

Kids Definition

decency

noun

de·​cen·​cy ˈdēs-ᵊn-sē 

plural decencies

1

a

: the quality or state of being decent : propriety

b

: agreement with standards of taste, quality, or proper behavior

decency, not fear of punishment, made them behave

2

: a standard of proper behavior

—usually used in plural

had been taught to observe the ordinary decencies