NYT Dictionary

DECENT

/ˈdi.sənt/
AdjectiveNounDE-centde-cent · 2 syllablesGrade 9

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026

Meaning

Appropriate; suitable for the circumstances.

Etymology

Origin: Latin

Borrowed from Middle French décent, or its source, Latin decēns, present participle of decet (“it is fitting or suitable”), from Proto-Indo-European *deḱ- (“to take, accept, to receive, greet, be suitable”) (compare Ancient Greek δοκέω (dokéō, “to appear, seem, think”), δέχομαι (dékhomai, “to accept”); Sanskrit दशस्यति (daśasyáti, “shows honor, is gracious”), दाशति (dāśati, “makes offerings, bestows”)). Meaning ‘kind, pleasant’ is from 1902.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

goodmoralsatisfactorynicebecomingcomelydecorousseemlyadequateenough

Antonyms

badimmoralindecentunderdressedinadequatepoorunsatisfactory

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 4 recorded puzzles:

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