WordGarden.iodecently
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /dˈiːsəntli/
US
- /ˈdisəntli/
Meanings
Adverb
to an acceptable or satisfactory standard
fairly or reasonably in amount or degree
in a proper, respectable, or considerate way
Beyond the definition
To do something "decently" means to do it in a way that's respectable, adequate, or good enough—not necessarily amazing, but certainly not bad. It implies meeting a basic standard of quality or behavior. Think about how you'd want someone to treat a stranger in need; you'd hope they'd behave decently!
You might describe a meal as "decently cooked" if it's edible and prepared with some care, even if it isn't gourmet. Or perhaps a student "did decently" on an exam, meaning they got a solid grade but didn't quite ace it. You can also use it for everyday things like sleep or money: "I slept decently," or "She's paid decently." It often suggests a level of politeness or fairness, too—someone might "live decently" by treating others with kindness and respect.
"Decently" is an adverb that describes how something is done, suggesting it's performed in a way that meets acceptable standards of quality, behavior, or appearance. It's about being respectable, adequate, or satisfactory—falling somewhere between "poorly" and "exceptionally."
The meaning can be subtly different depending on the context. Sometimes it implies politeness or moral fairness: "He treated her decently, despite their disagreement." Other times, it refers to a sufficient level of quality or size: "The room was decently sized for a single person," meaning it wasn't cramped but also wasn't luxurious. It can even suggest modesty or social propriety: "She dressed decently for the occasion," implying she followed the expected dress code or avoided anything too flashy.
"Decently" isn't about striving for perfection; it's about meeting expectations and behaving in a way that avoids causing offense or falling short of what's considered appropriate. It often carries a sense of practicality—getting things done well enough to be useful or acceptable. You'll also hear it in simple, everyday evaluations: "I slept decently," "He's paid decently," or "She speaks English decently well."
Think of it as the sweet spot between doing something badly and going above and beyond. If you finish a task "decently," you've done your job, met the requirements, and can feel reasonably proud of the result. It's about being good enough, and in many areas of life, that is exactly what is needed.
Examples
- 1
Room condition
The room was decently clean, so we decided to stay there for the night.
- 2
Music skill
After a few months of practice, he could play the guitar decently well.
- 3
Interview performance
She did decently in the interview, even though she was nervous.
- 4
Housing cost
We found a decently priced apartment near the station.
- Phrasedecently priced
not too expensive
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Pay level
The job is decently paid, but the hours are long.
- Phrasedecently paid
paid a reasonable amount
- 6
Ceremony clothing
Please dress decently for the ceremony.
- Phrasedress decently
dress in a socially acceptable or modest way
See also
Similar
- adequately
- acceptably
- satisfactorily
Shades of meaning
- competently
- respectably
- fairly well
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- do decently
- perform decently
- work decently
- decently enough
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- decentlyadverb