adj.
Pronunciation: ' d ē -s ə nt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin decent-, decens, present participle of dec ē re to be fitting; akin to Latin decus honor, dignus worthy, Greek dokein to seem, seem good
Date: 1539
1 archaic a : APPROPRIATE b : well-formed : HANDSOME
2 a : conforming to standards of propriety, good taste, or morality < decent behavior> b : modestly clothed
3 : free from immodesty or obscenity < decent language>
4 : fairly good : ADEQUATE , SATISFACTORY < decent wages>
5 : marked by moral integrity, kindness, and goodwill <hard-working and decent folks> <it's very decent of them to help>
synonyms see CHASTE
– de · cent · ly adverb