18 Other Ways to Say Decent (With Examples)

You often use the same words when you talk to friends or coworkers. It can feel a bit boring after a while. If you want to spice up your talk, finding other ways to say decent is a great start. This guide helps you pick the right words for any situation.

18 Another Way to Say Decent (With Examples)

Satisfactory

This word works well when something is just good enough to meet your needs. It means the quality is okay but it does not blow your mind. You might use it at work or school when a project is finished properly. It shows that there are no major problems or mistakes to fix. It is a very safe and clear word to use. People will understand that you are happy but not overly excited about the final result.

The service at the cafe was satisfactory.
Your test scores are quite satisfactory today.
We received a satisfactory report from him.
This meal is satisfactory for the price.
Her progress in class is very satisfactory.
The room was clean and quite satisfactory.

Respectable

When you call something respectable, you mean it is worthy of being noticed or liked. It suggests a certain level of honor or good standing in a group. You could use it to talk about a person’s behavior or even a score in a game. It implies that the thing is honest and solid. It is a polite way to give a compliment without going over the top. It feels very grounded and very kind to say.

He earned a respectable grade this term.
She has a very respectable career path.
That is a respectable distance to run.
They live in a very respectable neighborhood.
Your effort was truly a respectable one.
It was a respectable showing for beginners.

Acceptable

This is a perfect choice when things are simply fine. It means the work follows the rules and passes the test. You use it when you are not complaining but you are not cheering either. It is a very neutral word that fits in many places. If someone asks if a plan is okay, you can say it is acceptable. It helps keep things simple and clear. It shows that you agree with the current situation.

The noise levels are acceptable for now.
Is this time acceptable for our meeting?
Your behavior was acceptable during the trip.
The quality of the paper is acceptable.
This is an acceptable solution to us.
The wait time was acceptable at dinner.

Fair

Sometimes you want to say that something is just in the middle. Fair is a simple word that tells people a thing is not bad but not great. It is like a bridge between poor and good. You might use it to describe the weather or a person’s skills. It is an honest word that does not hide the truth. Using it makes you sound very fair and balanced. It is easy for everyone to understand.

The weather today will be mostly fair.
He has a fair chance of winning.
Her cooking skills are fair but improving.
We reached a fair deal for both.
The judge gave a very fair ruling.
There was a fair amount of cake.

Passable

If something is passable, it means it can get the job done. It might not be fancy or beautiful, but it works. Think of a quick fix or a simple meal. It is better than failing but not by a lot. It is a fun word to use when you want to be a bit more specific. It shows that you are being realistic about what you see. People use this often for food or for basic skills.

My French speaking skills are only passable.
The road was passable after the rain.
This wig is passable for the party.
He did a passable job on repairs.
The coffee here is passable but bitter.
Her singing was passable for the play.

Adequate

This word means you have exactly what you need. It is not too much and it is not too little. It feels very professional and direct. Use it when you want to say that the supplies or tools are right for the task. It is a strong word for business or formal talks. It shows that you are focused on the facts. It is a very helpful way to describe a situation that is just right for now.

We have adequate water for the hike.
The lighting in this room is adequate.
He gave an adequate answer to me.
This space is adequate for our desks.
She has adequate training for this role.
Your sleep was not adequate last night.

Proper

Using this word shows that something is done the right way. It follows the rules or the usual habits of people. It feels very polite and traditional. You can use it to talk about manners or how a tool is used. It suggests that everything is in its correct place. It is a warm word that people trust. When you say something is proper, it sounds very finished and well handled. It is a great choice.

You must wear the proper shoes here.
That was a proper way to speak.
Please use the proper tool for this.
He gave her a proper thank you.
We need a proper plan for Monday.
She made a proper meal for us.

Honest

This is a lovely way to describe a person or a result. It means the thing is true and has no tricks. When you say someone did an honest day of work, you are giving a big compliment. It implies that the quality comes from hard effort. It is a very human and kind word. Using it makes your writing feel more personal and warm. It is one of the best ways to talk about someone you truly respect.

He is an honest man with heart.
I want your honest opinion on this.
It was an honest mistake by him.
They do honest work for low pay.
Give me an honest look at facts.
That was an honest effort from you.

Average

Average is a common word for things that are right in the center. It describes most things you see every day. It is not special, but it is certainly not poor. You can use it for height, scores, or even the taste of a snack. It helps people visualize what you mean quickly. It is a very practical word for any blogger to use. It keeps your tone down to earth and very easy for readers to follow along.

The movie was just average for me.
He is of average height for men.
This is an average day at work.
The price is average for this city.
She is an average student in math.
It was an average meal for lunch.

Suitable

When something is suitable, it fits the occasion perfectly. It is the right match for a person or a goal. You might use it to talk about clothes for a wedding or a job for a friend. It sounds very smart and thoughtful. It shows that you have considered the options carefully. It is a very positive word that makes people feel confident. It is a great way to say that something is more than just okay.

This dress is suitable for the gala.
He is a suitable candidate for hiring.
That movie is not suitable for kids.
Find a suitable place for the lamp.
This soil is suitable for growing roses.
We need a suitable time to talk.

Sound

This word describes something that is strong and healthy. It means the foundation is good and you can trust it. You can use it for an idea, a building, or even a person’s mind. It suggests that there are no hidden cracks or problems. It is a very firm and solid word. Using it makes you sound like an expert who knows the truth. It gives the reader a feeling of safety and very high quality indeed.

That is a sound piece of advice.
The house has a sound wooden frame.
He is in a sound state now.
This is a sound plan for growth.
Her sleep was deep and very sound.
We made a sound investment in gold.

Goodly

This is a slightly older word but it is very charming. It usually describes a large or nice amount of something. It is a very friendly and soft word to use in your writing. It makes things sound a bit more special than usual. You might use it to talk about a pile of gifts or a long walk. It is a very easy way to add some flavor to your sentences. It feels very warm and very inviting.

There was a goodly crowd at park.
He spent a goodly sum on books.
She has a goodly number of friends.
We walked a goodly distance today.
There is a goodly amount of food.
He showed a goodly spirit of grace.

Appropriate

Appropriate is a great word for social situations. It means that what is happening is right for the setting. You use it to talk about how people act or what they wear. It shows that you understand the rules of the room. It is a very helpful word for teaching or guiding others. It sounds professional and very polite. People like using this word because it is very clear and it helps avoid any big confusion.

Your comments were not appropriate for work.
Is this music appropriate for a party?
Please wear appropriate clothes for the snow.
That was an appropriate response to him.
Use appropriate language in the classroom now.
This is an appropriate gift for her.

Sufficient

This word is a cousin to adequate. It means you have enough to get by. It is often used for things you can count, like money or food. It sounds a bit more formal but it is still very easy to learn. Using it tells the reader that the needs are met. It is a very useful word for reports or for giving instructions. It makes your writing look very polished and very organized. It is very reliable.

The evidence was sufficient for the trial.
Do we have sufficient fuel for trips?
Her explanation was sufficient for the boss.
We need sufficient light to see well.
This pay is sufficient for my bills.
He gave a sufficient amount of help.

Reasonable

When you call something reasonable, you mean it makes sense. It is a word about logic and being fair. You often use it to talk about prices or expectations. If a price is not too high, it is reasonable. It shows that you are a person who thinks clearly. It is a very popular word in daily talk. It helps you build trust with your readers. It sounds very calm and very balanced in any conversation.

The price of the cake was reasonable.
He made a reasonable request for time.
That is a reasonable way to act.
We expect a reasonable level of work.
The hotel was at a reasonable cost.
She gave me a reasonable excuse today.

Tolerate

While this is usually a verb, calling something tolerable means you can stand it. It is the lowest level of decent. It is not great, but it does not make you angry. It is a very honest way to describe a tough situation. You might use it for a loud noise or a boring meeting. It tells the reader that you are being patient. It is a very expressive and easy word for many different stories.

The heat was tolerable with a fan.
This pain is tolerable after the pill.
The movie was tolerable but very long.
Her singing voice is tolerable at best.
The wait was tolerable because of books.
This coffee is tolerable if you add.

Modest

Modest describes something that is simple and not showing off. It is a very humble word. You can use it for a house, a person, or a goal. It suggests that the quality is good but the scale is small. It is a very sweet and gentle word. People who are modest do not brag about their wins. Using this word makes your writing feel very grounded and very kind. It is a beautiful way to say decent.

They live in a modest little home.
He has a modest goal for now.
She wore a modest dress to church.
The company had a modest start here.
He is modest about his great skills.
It was a modest meal of bread.

Standard

This word means that something follows the usual pattern. It is what most people expect to see. It is not a surprise, and that can be a good thing. You use it for products or for how things are done. It is a very clear and very strong word. It helps people know exactly what they are getting. It is a very common word in stores and in offices. It makes everything feel very official.

This is the standard size for beds.
We follow the standard rules of play.
The car comes with standard safety gear.
He gave a standard talk to us.
It is a standard procedure for all.
This is a standard color for walls.

Final Thoughts

I hope this list helps you find other ways to say decent in your daily life. Learning new words is a fun way to grow and talk better with others. Using different terms makes your stories more exciting for everyone who listens. You can try one of these words tomorrow at work or with your family. It is easy to change your habits slowly. Please keep practicing these easy words. I am sure you will do a great job.