Respectable

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: [ɹɪˈspɛk.tə.bl̩]

Definitions

1. Conforming to social standards of behavior or appearance in a way that earns approval and esteem from others
2. Worthy of admiration or consideration due to adherence to societal norms and values, which leads to positive regard from others
3. Being deemed acceptable or commendable in various attributes, such as conduct or reputation, often receiving approval from the community

Etymology: "Respectable" is a compound of two inherited-then-borrowed parts. Its core, "respect," comes from Latin "respectus," a noun from "respicere," meaning "to look back at" or "to look again," built from "re-" (back) and "specere" (to look). The original sense was literal looking: a respect was a glance or a regard, and the idea of being looked upon with favour grew out of that act of attention. The word reached English through Old French "respect" and entered Middle English as "respect." The suffix "-able" traces through Old French "-able" back to Latin "-abilis" and "-ābilis," which marked something capable of being acted upon or of a certain quality. Put together, "respectable" meant something that could be regarded or looked upon with esteem. The Middle English "-able" was attached to a noun to form an adjective, and English later used it freely to build new words from existing ones.

Synonyms: dignified, decent, reputable, honorable, worthy

Antonyms: disreputable, unworthy, dishonorable, shameful, ignoble