respectable

/riˈspɛktəbəl/

/rəˈspɛktəbəl/

Something or someone respectable is honest, good, and proper. Respectable behavior includes things like contributing to charity, volunteering at an animal shelter, and helping your friends study vocabulary.

Anything or anyone respectable deserves respect for being honorable or moral. If you return a wallet that you find on the street, that’s respectable behavior. People would probably view you as a respectable person. However, if you removed all the money from the wallet before returning it, that’s not respectable. Respectable can also be used to describe to an adequate or large amount of something. If you return the wallet untouched, you might get a respectable sum as a reward.

Definitions of respectable

1. adjective

   deserving of esteem and respect
   “all respectable companies give guarantees”

   synonyms: estimable, good, honorable

   reputable

   having a good reputation
2. adjective

   characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals
   “a respectable woman”

   synonyms:

   good

   having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

   reputable

   having a good reputation

   decent, nice

   socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous

   presentable

   fit to be seen

   solid, upstanding

   meriting respect or esteem

   worthy

   having worth or merit or value; being honorable or admirable

   antonyms:

   unrespectable

   unworthy of respect
3. adjective

   large in amount or extent or degree
   “a respectable sum”

   synonyms: goodish, goodly, healthy, hefty, sizable, sizeable, tidy

   considerable

   large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree