respectable

UK: /rɪˈspɛktəb^əl/ US: /rɪˈspɛktəbəl/ ,(ri spek′tə bəl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

re•spect•a•ble /rɪˈspɛktəbəl/   adj. 

1. worthy of respect:
   a respectable citizen.
2. good enough to be used:
   respectable shoes.
3. of moderate quality; not excellent but good:
   They gave a respectable performance.
4. fairly large in size or amount:
   a respectable turnout.

re•spect•a•bil•i•ty /rɪˌspɛktəˈbɪlɪti/  n. [uncountable]
re•spect•a•bly, adv. See -spec-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

re•spect•a•ble  (ri spek′tə bəl), adj. 

1. worthy of respect or esteem;
   estimable;
   worthy:
   a respectable citizen.
2. of good social standing, reputation, etc.:
   a respectable neighborhood.
3. suitable or good enough to be seen or used:
   respectable clothes; respectable language.
4. of moderate excellence;
   fairly good;
   fair:
   a respectable performance.
5. appreciable in size, number, or amount:
   a respectable turnout.

• respect + -able 1580–90

re•spect′a•ble•ness, n. 
re•spect′a•bly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. honorable.
• 4. middling, passable.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

respectable / rɪˈspɛktəb^əl/ adjective

1. having or deserving the respect of other people; estimable; worthy
2. having good social standing or reputation
3. having socially or conventionally acceptable morals, standards, etc: a respectable family
4. relatively or fairly good; considerable: a respectable salary
5. fit to be seen by other people; presentable

reˌspectaˈbility, reˈspectableness noun

reˈspectably adverb