respectability
Americannoun
plural
respectabilities-
the state or quality of being respectable.
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respectable social standing, character, or reputation.
-
a respectable person or persons.
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respectabilities, things accepted as respectable.
Other Word Forms
- nonrespectability noun
- prerespectability noun
- semirespectability noun
- superrespectability noun
- unrespectability noun
Etymology
Origin of respectability
First recorded in 1775–85; respectable + -ity
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
U.S. backing gave them respectability and visibility, helping some to overcome their pariah status.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026
It challenged the idea of domestic respectability, treating the house as an open-ended experiment rather than a finished object.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025
Seamer Matt Henry took 4-43 as the West Indies top order once again failed to fire, with only Roston Chase's 38 in the middle order giving the total any sense of respectability at Seddon Park.
From Barron's • Nov. 22, 2025
It often arrives dressed in intellectual respectability framed as concern, skepticism or “just asking questions.”
From Salon • Oct. 10, 2025
He was the picture of respectability except that his feet were bare.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
