decency

/ˈdiːsnsi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdiːsnsi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdē-sᵊn-sē/ (ame, mw)

decency — noun

1. behavior that shows honesty, respect, and an understanding of what people in a s

1.名詞C1
釋義

behavior that shows honesty, respect, and an understanding of what people in a society think is right.

例句

The neighbors thanked Wren for showing decency after the argument.

show decency after conflict

Even in defeat, Hui spoke with decency about the winning team.

with decency about an opponent

同義詞
  • propriety

    is more formal and stresses correct social conduct

  • integrity

    focuses more on inner honesty than on outward social behavior

  • courtesy

    centers on polite behavior and can sound more surface-level

  • kindness

    emphasizes warmth and care rather than moral correctness

反義詞
  • indecency

    direct opposite for behavior that breaks accepted moral standards

  • cruelty

    stronger and more focused on causing harm

  • rudeness

    narrower, focusing on bad manners rather than broader moral conduct

文法句型

show decency

decency toward someone

basic human decency

用法筆記

Usually uncountable and often discussed as something people show, lack, or rely on. Distinguish this sense from noun/2, which is about the minimum proper action expected in one situation rather than a person's general moral quality.

常見錯誤

❌The nurse showed a decency to every patient.
✅The nurse showed decency to every patient.
💡decency is usually uncountable in this sense.
❌His decency for other people was obvious.
✅His decency toward other people was obvious.
💡use 'toward' or 'to' for the people affected.

2. the basic fairness or proper action that people feel someone should show in a pa

2.名詞C1
釋義

the basic fairness or proper action that people feel someone should show in a particular situation.

例句

Beatriz had the decency to apologize before leaving the group chat.

pattern: have the decency to + verb

After the leak, the company lacked the decency to warn its staff.

pattern: lack the decency to + verb

同義詞
  • courtesy

    can be similar, but it focuses more on politeness than on moral obligation

  • consideration

    stresses thinking about other people's feelings, often more warmly

  • basic respect

    plain everyday phrase for the minimum treatment someone deserves

反義詞
  • callousness

    suggests cold disregard for how other people are affected

  • thoughtlessness

    focuses on failing to think about the obvious proper action

  • shamelessness

    suggests no embarrassment about behaving badly

文法句型

have the decency to do something

lack the decency to do something

common decency

用法筆記

This sense often appears in the pattern have or lack the decency to do something. It focuses on the minimum step that a situation demands, not on a person's general moral character.

常見錯誤

❌She had the decency of calling her parents.
✅She had the decency to call her parents.
💡this pattern takes 'to' plus a verb.
❌The manager showed decency that he warned us early.
✅The manager showed decency by warning us early.
💡use 'by' for the action shown, or use 'had the decency to warn us'.