respectable
gb/ɹɪspˈɛktəbəl/ us/ɹɪspˈɛktəbəl/
B1
English
~ 3200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
morally good and socially acceptable
Behaving in a good and honest way that people think is right.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is respectable
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'respectable' with 'respectful'. 'Respectable' describes someone worthy of respect; 'respectful' describes someone who shows respect.
Synonyms
honorable (Carries a stronger sense of integrity and moral duty.)
|
upright (Suggests strict adherence to moral principles.)
Antonyms
dishonorable (Implies a lack of moral standards or shameful behavior.)
|
immoral (Suggests behavior that goes against accepted moral principles.)
Collocations
respectable family
|respectable man
|respectable woman
|respectable citizen
Themes
character
|society
|values
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She comes from a respectable family.
- He has always tried to live a respectable life.
- The company has built a respectable reputation for honesty.
- They want their children to grow up to be respectable citizens.
Learner examples
- My father is a respectable man.
- She lives a respectable life.
- He wants to be a respectable citizen.
adjective
B2
property
2
fairly good or satisfactory
Good enough in size or quality, but not the best.
Usage pattern:
a respectable [amount/score/result]
Common mistake:
Learners may mistakenly think 'respectable' here means 'deserving respect', but in this sense it means 'good enough'.
Synonyms
decent (Common in everyday speech; suggests adequacy without excellence.)
|
satisfactory (Neutral tone; meeting the minimum requirements.)
Antonyms
poor (Below an acceptable standard.)
|
inadequate (Not enough to meet a need or standard.)
Collocations
respectable amount
|respectable score
|respectable performance
Themes
evaluation
|measurement
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She achieved a respectable score on the test.
- We made a respectable profit this year.
- He finished the race in a respectable time.
Learner examples
- He got a respectable grade in the exam.
- We had a respectable number of visitors.
- She made a respectable profit from her shop.
Grammar
Dictionary form
respectable
IPA
GB/ɹɪspˈɛktəbəl/
US/ɹɪspˈɛktəbəl/
Syllables & stress
re - spect - able (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (spect)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: respectable
Word family
Core family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
irrespective
adjective C1
Expressions
from a respectable family
1/fɹˈʌm ə ɹɪspˈɛktəbəl fˈæmɪli/
fixed phrase
having a good family background
Belonging to a family that is seen as good and moral by society.
Examples
- She is from a respectable family, so her parents were shocked by the news.
- Many people assumed he would succeed because he came from a respectable family.
make a respectable showing
1/mˈeɪk ə ɹɪspˈɛktəbəl ʃˈoʊɪŋ/
fixed phrase
perform fairly well
To do well enough to be noticed, even if you do not win.
Examples
- The team made a respectable showing at the tournament, finishing third.
- Even though she didn’t win, she made a respectable showing in the race.