respectable
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.having a good reputation and following the rules of society.
adj.conforming to socially acceptable standards of behaviour, appearance, or character.
Simple“He wanted to find a respectable job so his parents would be proud of him.”
In context“The family worked hard to maintain a respectable image in the small town, attending every local event and keeping their garden perfectly tidy.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.good enough or large enough to be accepted.
adj.fairly good in quality or large in amount; satisfactory but not necessarily excellent.
Simple“The team finished the season in a respectable third place.”
In context“Despite the economic downturn, the company reported a respectable profit that satisfied most of the major shareholders.”
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
adj.having enough money to live a comfortable, middle-class life.
adj.belonging to a social class that is financially secure and socially established.
Simple“They lived in a respectable neighbourhood with large houses and quiet streets.”
In context“The novel depicts the lives of respectable Victorian families who were terrified of losing their social standing through financial ruin.”
Synonymsmiddle classprosperous - 04 C2 Proficiency
n.a person who has a good reputation and follows social rules.
n.an individual who conforms to conventional social standards and possesses a good reputation.
Simple“In the old days, the respectables of the town always sat in the front of the church.”
In context“The local respectables were horrified when the young artist moved into the village and began hosting loud parties every weekend.”
respectable vs respectful — Respectful describes the person giving the respect, while respectable describes the person or thing receiving social approval.
“Last season concluded with a respectable eighth-place finish and anything similar again would be considered a solid campaign for a team operating on a relatively small budget.”
“His parents thought he was a teacher and that was seen as OK and respectable.”
From respect + -able.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.