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 to write home about. [decent: adjective]
proper
Example
It's important to use proper etiquette when dining with others. [proper: adjective]
Example
He wore a proper suit to the job interview, looking very professional. [proper: adjective]
Example
She showed me the proper way to hold a knife and fork while eating. [proper: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Proper is more commonly used than decent in everyday language, especially in formal situations. Decent is less common and is often used in more casual or informal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between decent and proper?
Proper is generally considered more formal than decent, and is often used in formal writing or speech. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.
