respectable

adjective re·spect·able \ ri-ˈspek-tə-bəl \

Updated on: 7 Dec 2017

Definition of respectable

1 : worthy of respect : estimable

2 : decent or correct in character or behavior : proper

3 a : fair in size or quantity

a respectable amount

b : moderately good : tolerable

4 : fit to be seen : presentable

respectable clothes

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respectability

play \ri-ˌspek-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

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respectableness

play \ri-ˈspek-tə-bəl-nəs\ noun

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respectably

play \ri-ˈspek-tə-blē\ adverb

See respectable defined for English-language learners

See respectable defined for kids

Examples of respectable in a Sentence

She comes from a very respectable family.
no respectable dietician would advise people to eat just one kind of food

Recent Examples of respectable from the Web

But could this actually be the year multiple teams in the league step up to not only challenge Kentucky but earn respectable NCAA Tournament bids?

— jon hale, The Courier-Journal, "College basketball preview: Scouting the SEC," 31 Oct. 2017
But, Taylor has a 100.7 rating, is completing 65.7 percent of his throws and is averaging a very respectable 7.5 yards per attempt.

— jim owczarski, Cincinnati.com, "First Look: Cincinnati Bengals seek first home victory hosting Buffalo Bills," 3 Oct. 2017
There’s a more practical lesson here: the three brothers represent three different, all equally respectable ways to suit up right now.

— megan gustashaw, GQ, "The Skarsgard Brothers Are a Three-Headed Suit Monster," 6 Sep. 2017
The most respectable way to celebrate Labor Day is do as little work as possible.

— bon appétit, Bon Appetit, "20 Labor-Less Labor Day Recipes for Backyard Hangouts," 2 Sep. 2017
But how does one find a responsible, respectable, and experienced divorce attorney?

— kenny thapoung, Marie Claire, "4 Inside Secrets from a Celebrity Divorce Attorney," 14 Aug. 2015
Hyde is averaging a respectable 4.3 yards per carry.

— zach berman, Philly.com, "Eagles-49ers scouting report," 27 Oct. 2017
What didn’t: The beans were respectable, but the ones against the back wall of the insert cooked through much faster than the others.

— sarah digregorio, PEOPLE.com, "A Definitive Guide to the Best Slow Cookers on the Market," 25 Oct. 2017
The soulful singer-songwriter played the game like a champ, ruling out respectable items on some serious matters: Burger King, McDonald's or Wendy's?

— lauren alvarez, Billboard, "Daphne Willis Chooses Between Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus & Taylor Swift: 1 Has 2 Go," 18 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'respectable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of respectable

1599

respectable Synonyms

Synonyms

esteemed, estimable, name, prestigious, recognized, reputable, reputed, respected

Antonyms

disreputable

Related Words

honorable, venerable, worthy; creditable, good, praiseworthy; celebrated, distinguished, famed, famous, honored, illustrious, notable, prominent, redoubtable, renowned, well-known

Near Antonyms

seedy, shadowy, shady; no-name, obscure, undistinguished, unknown

respectable

noun

Definition of respectable

: a respectable person

Recent Examples of respectable from the Web

Shaken respectables thought the Paris Commune had crossed the Atlantic.

— sean wilentz, New York Times, "When Corruption and Venality Were the Lifeblood of America," 19 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of respectable

1814

RESPECTABLE Defined for English Language Learners

respectable

adjective

Definition of respectable for English Language Learners

: considered to be good, correct, or acceptable : decent or correct in character, behavior, or appearance
: fairly good

RESPECTABLE Defined for Kids

respectable

adjective re·spect·able \ ri-ˈspek-tə-bəl \

Definition of respectable for Students

1 : decent or correct in conduct : proper

They're respectable people.

2 : fit to be seen : presentable

Wear something respectable.

3 : deserving high regard

She acted in a respectable manner.

4 : fair in size or quantity

We collected a respectable amount.

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respectably

\-blē\ adverb

Learn More about respectable

See words that rhyme with respectable Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for respectable Spanish Central: Translation of respectable Nglish: Translation of respectable for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of respectable for Arabic speakers

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respectability

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From the M-W Editors

Examples of respectable in a Sentence

Recent Examples of respectable from the Web

First Known Use of respectable

respectable Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

respectable

Definition of respectable

Recent Examples of respectable from the Web

First Known Use of respectable

RESPECTABLE Defined for English Language Learners

respectable

Definition of respectable for English Language Learners

RESPECTABLE Defined for Kids

respectable

Definition of respectable for Students

respectably

Learn More about respectable

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