Word
presentable
Phoneticspre·sentable
US/pɹəˈzɛntəbəɫ/
UK/pɹɪzˈɛntəbəl/
Definition
adj. looking neat, clean, and attractive enough to be seen in public. You use this to describe someone's appearance or a room that is ready for guests.
adj. neat, clean, and attractive enough to be suitable for public appearance or social interaction. Often used to describe a person's grooming or the tidiness of a living space.
Examples
“He spent an hour in the shower to make sure he looked presentable.”
“The hotel staff ensured the guest rooms were always presentable, even if the guests were only staying for a single night.”
“While the interior of the house was quite modest, the exterior had been carefully maintained to ensure the property remained presentable for any potential buyers passing by.”
Examples
simple
“He spent an hour in the shower to make sure he looked presentable.”
contextual
“The hotel staff ensured the guest rooms were always presentable, even if the guests were only staying for a single night.”
complex
“While the interior of the house was quite modest, the exterior had been carefully maintained to ensure the property remained presentable for any potential buyers passing by.”
Real-World Examples
“She recalled receiving pamphlets in the lead-up to the trial that she said were “more or less about how to look presentable” in court.” Etymology
From Middle French presentable, from Old French, as if present + -able.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/presentable