respectable

[ ri-spek-tuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. worthy of respect or esteem; estimable; worthy:

   a respectable citizen.

   Synonyms: honorable

2. of good social standing, reputation, etc.:

   a respectable neighborhood.

3. suitable or good enough to be seen or used:

   respectable clothes; respectable language.

4. of moderate excellence; fairly good; fair:

   a respectable performance.

   Synonyms: passable, middling

5. appreciable in size, number, or amount:

   a respectable turnout.

respectable

/ rɪˈspɛktəbəl /

adjective

1. having or deserving the respect of other people; estimable; worthy
2. having good social standing or reputation
3. having socially or conventionally acceptable morals, standards, etc

   a respectable woman

4. relatively or fairly good; considerable

   a respectable salary

5. fit to be seen by other people; presentable

Derived Forms

• reˈspectably, adverb
• reˌspectaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• re·specta·ble·ness noun
• re·specta·bly adverb
• nonre·specta·ble adjective
• nonre·specta·ble·ness noun
• nonre·specta·bly adverb
• prere·specta·ble adjective
• quasi-re·specta·ble adjective
• quasi-re·specta·bly adverb
• semi·re·specta·ble adjective
• super·re·specta·ble adjective
• super·re·specta·ble·ness noun
• super·re·specta·bly adverb
• ultra·re·specta·ble adjective
• ultra·re·specta·bly adverb
• ultra·re·specta·ble·ness noun
• unre·specta·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of respectable¹

First recorded in 1580–90; respect + -able

Example Sentences

There looked like being an element of symmetry to the innings before a late flurry from Joseph and Akeal Hosein ensured the hosts batted their overs to post a respectable total.

From BBC

Vancouver made the final seconds a bit dramatic when Gauld finally found the back of the net in the fifth minute of stoppage time to make the final score more respectable.

From Los Angeles Times

One popular conspiracy theory held that the houses of respectable Protestant families were being raffled off in Catholic churches, to be invaded by unwashed broods of Irish peasants as soon as home rule was established.

From Salon

These are the respectable members of the cult and it explains why we might only be able to count on a small percentage of Republican voters to cross over and vote for Harris.

From Salon

With the bat they posted a respectable, if not especially challenging, total -not far shy of the average first-innings score of 117 at this venue.

From BBC

Related Words

• appropriate
• creditable
• decent
• honorable
• mediocre
• modest
• ordinary
• proper
• satisfactory
• tolerable
• upright