Etymologically
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decent

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈdiː.sənt/[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Middle French décent or directly borrowed from Latin decēns (“becoming, fitting”),[2][3][4] the present participle of decēre (“to be fitting, proper”).[2][3] Latin decēre is cognate with Greek dokeîn “to seem good”,[3][5] from Proto-Indo-European *dek- (“to take, accept”).[2][3] It is related to decorate, dignity and docile.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Suitable or appropriate to the circumstances, and appropriate to one's rank: 1539.[6][3][2]

Semantic evolution

Proper as regards modesty and propriety is from 1545,[6] and of good taste in appearance from 1600.[6] Respectable in behaviour and way of life is from 1712, and of dress from 1696.[6] The sense “fair, good enough” is from about 1642 in the OED and 1711 in Etymonline.[6][2] Of a person, kind or obliging, is colloquial from 1902.[6][2] Are you decent?, “are you dressed?”, from 1949, was originally backstage theatre jargon.[2] Decency is from 1567.[3]

Timeline

  • 1539 – fitting, appropriate.[6]
  • 1545 – proper, modest.[6]
  • c. 1642 – good enough.[6]
  • 1902 – kind (colloquial).[6]
  • 1949 – are you decent?[2]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Following accepted standards of good behaviour or morality; respectable.
  2. Good enough; adequate: a decent wage.
  3. (informal) Kind and fair.
  4. Not likely to shock; modest.
  5. (informal) Dressed enough to be seen.

Word family

  • decently
  • decentness
  • decency
  • indecent
  • decorum
  • decorate
  • dignity
  • docile

References

  1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  4. ^ Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press