Meaning 1
Worthy of regard because of decent character, conduct, or standing.
Reach for it when praising sound character or a legitimately good reputation
She built a respectable practice by explaining every fee before accepting a case.
Meaning 2
Solid enough in quality to satisfy a reasonable standard.
Reach for it when giving measured praise to a decent or satisfactory result
The first-time runner finished in a respectable forty-two minutes.
| Meaning 1 | Meaning 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| everyday | ||
| warm | ||
| professional |
| |
| formal |
|
everyday
Suits straightforward approval of acceptable character
Careful It often sounds milder than the established regard carried by respectable.
professional
Fits when a public track record supports trust
Careful A private act can be respectable without being widely known.
formal
creditable
Fits when conduct or effort deserves praise despite limitations
Careful It usually evaluates an act or result, not a person's lasting standing.
formal
Fits when ethical conduct is the reason for esteem
Careful Respectable can rest on quality or social standing without making a lofty moral claim.
everyday
Fits when appearance meets a social or practical standard
Careful Presentable only clears an outward threshold; respectable reaches conduct or quality.
warm
Fits when effort or motives specifically deserve approval
Careful A respectable result may have value without reflecting praiseworthy intention.
professional
Fits when a result simply meets the necessary standard
Careful It can underplay the earned approval carried by respectable.
professional
Fits when dependable quality matters more than brilliance
Careful Solid suggests reliability, whereas respectable compares favorably with a standard.
respectable citizen
The respectable citizen quietly returned the overpayment that afternoon.
respectable result
Three verified leads made a respectable result for the pilot week.
respectable performance
The reserve team delivered a respectable performance against the champions.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated
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