respectable
/rɪˈspektəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈspektəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˈspek-tə-bəl/ (ame, mw)
respectable — adjective
- respectablepositive
- more respectablecomparative
- most respectablesuperlative
1. Behaving and dressing in ways that match what most people in a community conside
Behaving and dressing in ways that match what most people in a community consider proper and morally right — for example, being honest at work, polite to neighbours, and dressing neatly in public.
Hugo always wears a suit to job interviews because he wants to look respectable.
look + respectable (appearance-based impression)
The charity event attracted only the most respectable families in the town.
Padma comes from a hardworking, respectable background and has never been in trouble.
It is not considered respectable to shout at shop assistants in this country.
The neighbours kept their garden tidy so the street would look respectable.
- decent
slightly broader; can describe a person or action that meets basic moral standards without the same emphasis on social judgement
- honourable
stronger moral weight; suggests high ethical principles rather than just social acceptability
- upright
more formal and less common; stresses moral integrity and honesty
- reputable
focuses on the good reputation a person or organization holds in the community
- presentable
narrower — only about appearance being neat enough, not about overall character or behaviour
- disreputable
the direct opposite; describes someone with a bad reputation or morally questionable behaviour
- shameful
describes an action or behaviour that brings social disapproval, rather than a person's overall standing
文法句型
respectable + noun
be + respectable
seem/look/appear + respectable
用法筆記
Describes a person's behaviour, appearance, or reputation as meeting society's basic moral standards. Commonly used with verbs like 'seem', 'look', 'appear', and 'consider'. Not typically applied to objects or abstract concepts outside of character judgement.
常見錯誤
2. Of a quantity, size, or result: large enough or good enough to be seen as satisf
Of a quantity, size, or result: large enough or good enough to be seen as satisfactory, even if not excellent — for example, a salary that covers your needs, a score that shows you tried hard, or a profit that keeps the business going.
Bao earned a respectable salary at the factory, enough to support his parents.
collocation: respectable salary
The team finished the season with a respectable record of twelve wins and seven losses.
Ramón scored a respectable number of points on the exam but did not win.
The small café made a respectable profit in its first year of business.
We had a respectable turnout at the community meeting — nearly half the residents came.
- decent
very similar in meaning for quantity/quality; 'a decent salary' and 'a respectable salary' are nearly interchangeable
- reasonable
focuses on fairness rather than sufficiency; 'a reasonable price' is fair, while 'a respectable price' suggests an adequate amount
- adequate
more neutral; just enough to meet needs without the positive connotation of 'respectable'
- fair
often used for sizes and amounts to suggest they are acceptably large
文法句型
respectable + [amount/size/score/profit]
a + respectable + noun
用法筆記
Only used with nouns that express quantity, size, outcome, or achievement — NOT with generic concrete nouns like 'chair' or 'book'. A 'respectable meal' is possible (good enough quality), but 'a respectable table' is not. Always describes something that could be measured or evaluated against a standard.
常見錯誤
respectable — noun
1. A person who follows society's moral rules and is seen as having good character,
A person who follows society's moral rules and is seen as having good character, often used in a slightly ironic or questioning way when talking about who 'counts' as morally acceptable.
The club was once where the respectable of the city gathered for dinner.
Salma's grandparents were solid respectables who never missed a Sunday service.
plural: respectables
The so-called respectables in town ignored the poor living conditions of workers.
Folake was raised to be one of the respectables, always polite and neatly dressed.
- pillar of the community
a set phrase used for a highly respected, active member of a local society
- the establishment
broader and more political; refers to the group in power rather than just morally upright people
文法句型
the respectable (as a class)
respectables (plural)
用法筆記
This noun usage is somewhat dated or formal in modern English. It most often appears in the plural form 'the respectable' (as a collective group) and can carry a mildly critical or ironic tone, implying the speaker questions that group's moral authority. More common in literary or historical writing than in everyday speech.