1
: marked by moral integrity, kindness, and goodwill
hard-working and decent folks
it's very decent of them to help
2
3
: free from immodesty or obscenity
decent language
4
: fairly good : adequate, satisfactory
decent wages
5
decently
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of decent in a Sentence
Not long afterward, his father's health starts to fail. Mrs. Queenan has kicked him out, and he's landed in a flophouse. When word reaches Joe, he takes out his checkbook and moves his father into a decent apartment.
—
James McManus, New York Times Book Review, 26 Apr. 2009
In a whiney, rambling speech at his sentencing he took a page from the script of the earlier case, once again portraying himself as a flawed but decent man unfairly caught up in circumstances.
—Bill Hewitt et al., People, 22 Dec. 2008
Tommy Railles, the doctor's boy. Just a great kid. Smart at school, a decent athlete, great with the girls, wonderful with older people.
—Ward Just, Forgetfulness, (2006) 2007
The next time an overly friendly blond sidles up in a crowded bar and asks you to order her a brand-name martini, or a cheery tourist couple wonder whether you can take their picture with their sleek new camera-in-a-cell phone, you might want to think twice. There's a decent chance that these strangers are pitchmen in disguise, paid to oh-so-subtly pique your interest in their product.
—Paul McFedries, Word Spy, 2004
I don't understand how so decent a person could be involved with this kind of crime.
He is a decent guy who would help anyone in need.
You need to do the decent thing and tell her what happened.
Are there any decent schools in that area?
I've got to get some decent clothes.
James McManus, New York Times Book Review, 26 Apr. 2009
In a whiney, rambling speech at his sentencing he took a page from the script of the earlier case, once again portraying himself as a flawed but decent man unfairly caught up in circumstances.
—Bill Hewitt et al., People, 22 Dec. 2008
Tommy Railles, the doctor's boy. Just a great kid. Smart at school, a decent athlete, great with the girls, wonderful with older people.
—Ward Just, Forgetfulness, (2006) 2007
The next time an overly friendly blond sidles up in a crowded bar and asks you to order her a brand-name martini, or a cheery tourist couple wonder whether you can take their picture with their sleek new camera-in-a-cell phone, you might want to think twice. There's a decent chance that these strangers are pitchmen in disguise, paid to oh-so-subtly pique your interest in their product.
—Paul McFedries, Word Spy, 2004
I don't understand how so decent a person could be involved with this kind of crime.
He is a decent guy who would help anyone in need.
You need to do the decent thing and tell her what happened.
Are there any decent schools in that area?
I've got to get some decent clothes.
Recent Examples on the Web
DocuSign was up 27% Friday alone on a decent quarterly report, and has doubled from the early-August low.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 7 Dec. 2024
Also worth noting is a decent sale on shares at present, with MFIC trading at a 7% discount to net asset value (NAV).
—Brett Owens, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
The Cowboys are somehow playing their best football of the season having scored 27 and 34 points in two straight wins and their pass rush, the only decent facet of their defense, has the ability to get through the Bengals’ swiss cheese line to get to Burrow.
—Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024
Bodum Melior Cold Brew and Ice Tea Maker ($20): This pitcher-style cold brew maker from Bodum’s Melior line is a handsome enough pitcher with decent proportions and a 1-liter capacity.
—Matthew Korfhage, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for decent 
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Michael Santoli, CNBC, 7 Dec. 2024
Also worth noting is a decent sale on shares at present, with MFIC trading at a 7% discount to net asset value (NAV).
—Brett Owens, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
The Cowboys are somehow playing their best football of the season having scored 27 and 34 points in two straight wins and their pass rush, the only decent facet of their defense, has the ability to get through the Bengals’ swiss cheese line to get to Burrow.
—Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024
Bodum Melior Cold Brew and Ice Tea Maker ($20): This pitcher-style cold brew maker from Bodum’s Melior line is a handsome enough pitcher with decent proportions and a 1-liter capacity.
—Matthew Korfhage, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for decent
Dictionary Entries Near decent
Cite this Entry
“Decent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decent. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
decent
adjective
de·cent
ˈdēs-ᵊnt 
1
a
: agreeing with standards of proper behavior, good taste, or morality
b
: clothed in a proper and suitable manner and style
2
: free from poor taste or bad manners
our conversations were always decent, never obscene
3
: fairly good : adequate
decent housing
decently
adverb
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