respectable

1 of 2

adjective

re·​spect·​able ri-ˈspek-tə-bəl How to pronounce respectable (audio)
Synonyms of respectablenext
1
: worthy of respect : estimable
2
: decent or correct in character or behavior : proper
3
a
: fair in size or quantity
a respectable amount
b
: moderately good : tolerable
a respectable performance
4
: fit to be seen : presentable
respectable clothes
respectability
ri-ˌspek-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce respectable (audio)
noun
respectableness
ri-ˈspek-tə-bəl-nəs How to pronounce respectable (audio)
noun
respectably
ri-ˈspek-tə-blē How to pronounce respectable (audio)
adverb

respectable

2 of 2

noun

: a respectable person

Synonyms of respectable

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Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of respectable in a Sentence

Adjective She comes from a very respectable family. no respectable dietician would advise people to eat just one kind of food
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Initially, the show was earning between $900,000 to $1 million a week, a respectable figure. — Brent Lang, Variety, 14 July 2026 There will be gratitude for how James made the Cavs respectable again during his first run (2003-2010). — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 The pixel density is the same on both the old and new monitors, at a respectable 110 pixels per inch (ppi). — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026 Waste management by vast private monopolies is a more respectable enterprise. — Literary Hub, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for respectable

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1770, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of respectable was in 1603

Rhymes for respectable

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Browse Nearby Words

respectabilize
respectable
respectant
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Cite this Entry

“Respectable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respectable. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

respectable

adjective
re·​spect·​able
ri-ˈspek-tə-bəl
1
: worthy of respect : reputable
2
: decent or correct in character or behavior : proper
respectable people
3
: fair in size, quality, or quantity
a respectable amount of money
4
: fit to be seen : presentable
respectable clothes
respectability
-ˌspek-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē
noun
respectableness
-ˈspek-tə-bəl-nəs
noun
respectably
-blē
adverb

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