# decent

/ˈdisənt/ (US) · /dˈiːsənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/decent
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. good enough

adjective · CEFR B1

of a satisfactory or acceptable quality.

For teachers: of an acceptable or satisfactory standard; often used to describe quality that is adequate but not exceptional.

- I just want to find a decent restaurant that isn't too expensive.
- While the hotel was nothing fancy, it provided a decent breakfast and a clean room for a reasonable price.

### 2. honest and kind

adjective · CEFR B2

honest, helpful, and following moral standards.

For teachers: conforming to standards of moral honesty, kindness, or propriety.

- He is a decent man who always tries to do the right thing.
- The community rallied behind the family, proving that there are still plenty of decent people willing to help a neighbour in need.

### 4. fair or generous

adjective · CEFR B2

fair, kind, or generous in how you treat others.

For teachers: showing fairness, generosity, or a polite sense of social obligation.

- It was very decent of them to offer us a lift home in the rain.
- The company offered a decent severance package to the employees affected by the recent downsizing.

### 5. substantial

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

large enough or good enough to be important.

For teachers: of a significant or substantial size, amount, or degree.

- They earned a decent amount of money from the garage sale.
- After years of saving, they finally managed to put down a decent deposit on a small apartment in the city centre.

## Examples

- I just need a decent meal and a good night's sleep.
- The hotel was basic, but it provided a decent breakfast and a clean room for the price.
- Finding a decent apartment in this city has become increasingly difficult as rental prices continue to outpace the average worker's salary.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.