What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
decent
Example
The restaurant had decent food, but the service was slow. [decent: adjective]
Example
He made a decent effort to complete the project on time. [decent: adjective]
Example
She is a decent person who always tries to do the right thing. [decent: noun]
acceptable
Example
The company's policy on diversity is acceptable, but it could be improved. [acceptable: adjective]
Example
The candidate's qualifications were acceptable for the position. [acceptable: adjective]
Example
It is not acceptable to arrive late to a job interview. [acceptable: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Acceptable is more commonly used than decent in everyday language. Acceptable is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while decent is less common and has a narrower scope of usage.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between decent and acceptable?
Both decent and acceptable are relatively informal words that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
