What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
decent
Example
It's important to behave in a decent manner when meeting new people. [decent: adjective]
Example
She wore a decent dress to the wedding, nothing too flashy. [decent: adjective]
Example
The hotel room was decent, but nothing fancy. [decent: adjective]
appropriate
Example
It's important to dress appropriately for a job interview. [appropriately: adverb]
Example
The music played at the funeral was appropriate and respectful. [appropriate: adjective]
Example
The teacher gave an appropriate amount of homework for the weekend. [appropriate: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Appropriate is more commonly used than decent in everyday language, especially in formal or professional contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between decent and appropriate?
Appropriate is more formal than decent, as it is commonly used in professional or academic settings to describe suitability or correctness in a given context.