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Synonyms

respectable

American  
[ri-spek-tuh-buhl] / rɪˈspɛk tə bəl /

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 British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • nonrespectable adjective
  • nonrespectableness noun
  • nonrespectably adverb
  • prerespectable adjective
  • quasi-respectable adjective
  • quasi-respectably adverb
  • respectability noun
  • respectableness noun
  • respectably adverb
  • semirespectable adjective
  • superrespectable adjective
  • superrespectableness noun
  • superrespectably adverb
  • ultrarespectable adjective
  • ultrarespectableness noun
  • ultrarespectably adverb
  • unrespectable adjective

Etymology

Origin of respectable

First recorded in 1580–90; respect + -able

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.

Having been marooned at the back, Sauber became more respectable performers, and their veteran German driver Nico Hulkenberg even finally scored a podium after 16 years of trying in last year's British Grand Prix.

From BBC

Yet, she met respectable friends in Rochester, and grew from a child bride into a competent woman.

From Literature

The girl has less to do, but like all the women in this entry, she puts up a respectable fight.

From Los Angeles Times

Though Disneyland Park’s littler and much younger sibling, the park has grown into a respectable offering, one that ranks among my favorite Disney parks in North America.

From Los Angeles Times

The noise on revenue and costs hides a respectable performance elsewhere, they note.

From The Wall Street Journal