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

Leah tells us about the lone woman who advocated for helping them, declaring that each one was someone’s son and deserved a bit of human decency. —Dan Sheehan, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024

This may be glorified B-movie material about Honor and Sacrifice and American Know-How, but Hanks’s decency and quiet authority sell the damn thing very nicely. 23. —Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024

Sometimes those decisions have to deal with lines of decency. —William Earl, Variety, 10 Oct. 2024

What has happened to you to have flown so far from decency and sanity? —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 5a

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