Decent vs. Good: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 11, 2023
"Decent" refers to something satisfactory or respectable, while "Good" indicates something of high quality or beneficial nature.
Key Differences
"Decent" and "Good" are both positive adjectives, but their degree and context of positivity differ. "Decent" is often used to describe something that meets a basic level of acceptance or standard. It suggests that while something isn’t exceptional, it is passable and acceptable. On the other hand, "Good" denotes something that is clearly positive, beneficial, or of a high standard. When you label something as good, you're appreciating its quality or value.
Consider the scenario of evaluating a meal. Describing a meal as decent implies that it was edible, satisfactory but perhaps not memorable. Labeling the same meal as good suggests it was tasty, enjoyable, and met or exceeded expectations. Here, "Decent" sets a lower threshold of quality compared to "Good."
In the realm of behavior and morality, the differences can be more nuanced. A decent person is one who generally adheres to societal norms, showing respect and consideration. A good person, meanwhile, often goes beyond the basic standards of decency, displaying virtues like kindness, generosity, and altruism consistently.
In many contexts, the choice between "Decent" and "Good" comes down to the degree of positivity or quality one wishes to convey. While both are affirming, "Good" typically carries a stronger, more affirmative connotation than "Decent."
Comparison Chart
Definition
Satisfactory or respectable.
Of high quality or beneficial nature.
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Degree
Usually implies a moderate level of quality.
Often indicates a higher level of quality.
Context
Can be about basic acceptability.
More about clear positivity or value.
Nuance
Might be seen as just above average.
Generally seen as clearly positive.
Usage
"The performance was decent."
"The performance was good."
Decent and Good Definitions
Decent
Modest or appropriate in behavior or conduct.
He is a decent individual who respects others.
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Good
Genuine or real.
He returned with the good news.
Decent
Respectable or moral in behavior.
They come from a decent family with good values.
Good
Pleasant or enjoyable.
We had a good time at the party.
Decent
Adequate or satisfactory in quality.
The hotel provided decent accommodations.
Good
Morally right or virtuous.
She made a good deed by helping the homeless.
Decent
Fairly good but not excellent.
He is a decent singer but not a star.
Good
Being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor
A good experience.
Good news from the hospital.
Decent
Characterized by conformity to recognized standards of propriety or morality
A respected citizen who led a decent life.
Children brought up in decent homes.
Good
Having the qualities that are desirable or distinguishing in a particular thing
A good exterior paint.
A good joke.
Decent
Morally upright; moral or respectable
"the corruption that allows the unscrupulous to grow rich while decent people labor to earn an honest wage" (Amitav Ghosh).
Good
Serving the desired purpose or end; suitable
Is this a good dress for the party?.
Decent
Kind or obliging
Very decent of them to lend you money.
Good
Not spoiled or ruined
The milk is still good.
Decent
Showing thoughtfulness or consideration
Let a decent interval go by before calling.
Good
In excellent condition; sound
A good tooth.
Decent
Free from indelicacy or obscenity; clean
Decent television programming for children.
Good
Superior to the average; satisfactory
A good student.
Decent
Fairly good; acceptable; satisfactory
Finally got a decent night's sleep.
Made decent wages in the new job.
Good
Used formerly to refer to the US Government grade of meat higher than standard and lower than choice.
Decent
Suitable; fitting
Had nothing decent to wear to the reception.
Good
Of high quality
Good books.
Decent
(Informal) Properly or modestly dressed
The guests are here—are you decent?.
Good
Discriminating
Good taste.
Decent
(obsolete) Appropriate; suitable for the circumstances.
Good
Of moral excellence; upright
A good person.
Decent
(of a person) Having a suitable conformity to basic moral standards; showing integrity, fairness, or other characteristics associated with moral uprightness.
Good
Benevolent; kind
A good soul.
A good heart.
Decent
(informal) Sufficiently clothed or dressed to be seen.
Are you decent? May I come in?
Good
Loyal; staunch
A good Republican.
Decent
Fair; acceptable; okay.
He's a decent saxophonist, but probably not good enough to make a career of it.
Good
Well-behaved; obedient
A good child.
Decent
Significant; substantial.
There are a decent number of references out there, if you can find them.
Good
Socially correct; proper
Good manners.
Decent
Conforming to perceived standards of good taste.
Good
Worthy of respect; honorable
Ruined the family's good name.
Decent
(obsolete) Comely; shapely; well-formed.
Good
Attractive; handsome
Good looks.
Decent
Suitable in words, behavior, dress, or ceremony; becoming; fit; decorous; proper; seemly; as, decent conduct; decent language.
Before his decent steps.
Good
Beneficial to health; salutary
A good night's rest.
Decent
Free from immodesty or obscenity; modest.
Good
Competent; skilled
A good machinist.
Decent
Comely; shapely; well-formed.
A sable stole of cyprus lawnOver thy decent shoulders drawn.
By foreign hands thy decent limbs composed.
Good
Complete; thorough
A good workout.
Decent
Moderate, but competent; sufficient; hence, respectable; fairly good; reasonably comfortable or satisfying; as, a decent fortune; a decent person.
A decent retreat in the mutability of human affairs.
Good
Reliable; sure
A good investment.
Decent
Socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous;
From a decent family
A nice girl
Good
Valid or true
A good reason.
Decent
According with custom or propriety;
Her becoming modesty
Comely behavior
It is not comme il faut for a gentleman to be constantly asking for money
A decent burial
Seemly behavior
Good
Genuine; real
A good dollar bill.
Decent
Conforming to conventions of sexual behavior;
Speech in this circle, if not always decent, never became lewd
Good
In effect; operative
A warranty good for two years.
A driver's license that is still good.
Decent
Enough to meet a purpose;
An adequate income
The food was adequate
A decent wage
Enough food
Food enough
Good
Ready or able for a specified or assumed activity
I'm good for another round of golf.
Decent
Decently clothed;
Are you decent?
Good
Able to pay or contribute
Is she good for the money that you lent her?.
Decent
Observing conventional sexual mores in speech or behavior or dress;
A modest neckline in her dress
Though one of her shoulder straps had slipped down, she was perfectly decent by current standards
Good
Able to elicit a specified reaction
He is always good for a laugh.
Decent
In the right manner;
Please do your job properly!
Can't you carry me decent?
Good
Ample; substantial
A good income.
Decent
Meeting an accepted standard or requirement.
She earned a decent salary at her new job.
Good
Bountiful
A good table.
Good
Full
It is a good mile from here.
Good
Pleasant; enjoyable
Had a good time at the party.
Good
Propitious; favorable
Good weather.
A good omen.
Good
Landing within bounds or within a particular area of a court and therefore in play
The first serve was wide, but the second was good.
Good
Passing between the uprights of the goal and therefore scoring, as a field goal in football.
Good
Used to form exclamatory phrases expressing surprise or dismay
Good heavens! Good grief!.
Good
Something that is good.
Good
A good, valuable, or useful part or aspect.
Good
Welfare; benefit
For the common good.
Good
Goodness; virtue
There is much good to be found in people.
Good
A product that is bought and sold
Frozen goods.
Good
Goods Portable personal property.
Good
(used with a sing. or pl. verb) Fabric; material.
Good
Goods(Slang) Incriminating information or evidence
Tried to get the goods on the crook.
Good
Well.
Good
(of people)
Good
Acting in the interest of what is beneficial, ethical, or moral.
Good intentions
Good
Competent or talented.
A good swimmer
Good
Able to be depended on for the discharge of obligations incurred; of unimpaired credit; used with for.
Can you lend me fifty dollars? You know I'm good for it.
Good
Well-behaved (especially of children or animals).
Be good while your mother and I are out.
Were you a good boy for the babysitter?
Good
(US) Satisfied or at ease; not requiring more.
Would you like a glass of water? — I'm good.
[Are] you good? — Yeah, I'm fine.
Gimme another beer! — I think you're good.
Good
Accepting of, OK with
My mother said she's good with me being alone with my date as long as she's met them first.
The soup is rather spicy. Are you good with that, or would you like something else?
Good
(archaic) Of high rank or birth.
Good
(of capabilities)
Good
Useful for a particular purpose; functional.
It’s a good watch;
The flashlight batteries are still good
Good
Effective.
A good worker
Good
(obsolete) Real; actual; serious.
In good sooth
Good
(properties and qualities)
Good
(of food)
Good
Of food or other perishable products, still fit for use; not yet expired, stale, rotten, etc.
The bread is still good.
Good
Valid, of worth, capable of being honoured.
This coupon is good for a free doughnut.
Good
True, valid, of explanatory strength.
This theory still holds good even if much higher temperatures are assumed.
Good
Healthful.
Exercise and a varied diet are good for you.
Good
Pleasant; enjoyable.
We had a good time.
Good
Favourable.
A good omen;
Good weather
Good
Unblemished; honourable.
A person's good name
Good
Beneficial; worthwhile.
A good job
Good
Adequate; sufficient; not fallacious.
Good
Very, extremely. See good and.
The soup is good and hot.
Good
(colloquial) Ready
I'm good when you are.
The reports are good to go.
Good
Holy especially when capitalized .
Good Friday, Good Wednesday, the Good Book
Good
(of quantities)
Good
Reasonable in amount.
All in good time
Good
Large in amount or size.
A good while longer;
A good number of seeds;
A good part of his day was spent shopping.
It will be a good while longer until he's done.
He's had a good amount of troubles, he has.
Good
Full; entire; at least as much as.
This hill will take a good hour and a half to climb.
The car was a good ten miles away.
Good
That is good; an elliptical exclamation of satisfaction or commendation.
Good! I can leave now.
Good
(nonstandard) Well; satisfactorily or thoroughly.
The boy done good. (did well)
Good
(uncountable) The forces or behaviours that are the enemy of evil. Usually consists of helping others and general benevolence.
Good
(countable) A result that is positive in the view of the speaker.
Good
(uncountable) The abstract instantiation of goodness; that which possesses desirable qualities, promotes success, welfare, or happiness, is serviceable, fit, excellent, kind, benevolent, etc.
The best is the enemy of the good.
He is an influence for good on those girls.
Good
An item of merchandise.
Good
To thrive; fatten; prosper; improve.
Good
(transitive) To make good; turn to good; improve.
Good
(intransitive) To make improvements or repairs.
Good
(intransitive) To benefit; gain.
Good
(transitive) To do good to (someone); benefit; cause to improve or gain.
Good
(transitive) To satisfy; indulge; gratify.
Good
(reflexive) To flatter; congratulate oneself; anticipate.
Good
To furnish with dung; manure; fatten with manure; fertilise.
Good
Possessing desirable qualities; adapted to answer the end designed; promoting success, welfare, or happiness; serviceable; useful; fit; excellent; admirable; commendable; not bad, corrupt, evil, noxious, offensive, or troublesome, etc.
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.
Good company, good wine, good welcome.
Good
Possessing moral excellence or virtue; virtuous; pious; religious; - said of persons or actions.
In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works.
Good
Kind; benevolent; humane; merciful; gracious; polite; propitious; friendly; well-disposed; - often followed by to or toward, also formerly by unto.
The men were very good unto us.
Good
Serviceable; suited; adapted; suitable; of use; to be relied upon; - followed especially by for.
All quality that is good for anything is founded originally in merit.
Good
Clever; skillful; dexterous; ready; handy; - followed especially by at.
He . . . is a good workman; a very good tailor.
Those are generally good at flattering who are good for nothing else.
Good
Adequate; sufficient; competent; sound; not fallacious; valid; in a commercial sense, to be depended on for the discharge of obligations incurred; having pecuniary ability; of unimpaired credit.
My reasons are both good and weighty.
My meaning in saying he is a good man is . . . that he is sufficient . . . I think I may take his bond.
Good
Real; actual; serious; as in the phrases in good earnest; in good sooth.
Love no man in good earnest.
Good
Not small, insignificant, or of no account; considerable; esp., in the phrases a good deal, a good way, a good degree, a good share or part, etc.
Good
Not lacking or deficient; full; complete.
Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.
Good
Not blemished or impeached; fair; honorable; unsullied; as in the phrases a good name, a good report, good repute, etc.
A good name is better than precious ointment
The good woman never died after this, till she came to die for good and all.
Distinguished by good humor and good breeding.
My father always said I was born to be a good for nothing.
The good nature and generosity which belonged to his character.
The young count's good nature and easy persuadability were among his best characteristics.
The good will of a trade is nothing more than the probability that the old customers will resort to the old place.
Each word made good and true.
Of no power to make his wishes good.
I . . . would by combat make her good.
Convenient numbers to make good the city.
If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear.
Good
That which possesses desirable qualities, promotes success, welfare, or happiness, is serviceable, fit, excellent, kind, benevolent, etc.; - opposed to evil.
There be many that say, Who will show us any good ?
Good
Advancement of interest or happiness; welfare; prosperity; advantage; benefit; - opposed to harm, etc.
The good of the whole community can be promoted only by advancing the good of each of the members composing it.
Good
Wares; commodities; chattels; - formerly used in the singular in a collective sense. In law, a comprehensive name for almost all personal property as distinguished from land or real property.
He hath made us spend much good.
Thy lands and goodsAre, by the laws of Venice, confiscateUnto the state of Venice.
Good
Well, - especially in the phrase as good, with a following as expressed or implied; equally well with as much advantage or as little harm as possible.
As good almost kill a man as kill a good book.
They who counsel ye to such a suppressing, do as good as bid ye suppress yourselves.
Good
To make good; to turn to good.
Good
To manure; to improve.
Good
Benefit;
For your own good
What's the good of worrying?
Good
Moral excellence or admirableness;
There is much good to be found in people
Good
That which is good or valuable or useful;
Weigh the good against the bad
Among the highest goods of all are happiness and self-realization
Good
Having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified;
Good news from the hospital
A good report card
When she was good she was very very good
A good knife is one good for cutting
This stump will make a good picnic table
A good check
A good joke
A good exterior paint
A good secretary
A good dress for the office
Good
Having the normally expected amount;
Gives full measure
Gives good measure
A good mile from here
Good
Morally admirable
Good
Deserving of esteem and respect;
All respectable companies give guarantees
Ruined the family's good name
Good
Promoting or enhancing well-being;
An arms limitation agreement beneficial to all countries
The beneficial effects of a temperate climate
The experience was good for her
Good
Superior to the average;
In fine spirits
A fine student
Made good grades
Morale was good
Had good weather for the parade
Good
Agreeable or pleasing;
We all had a good time
Good manners
Good
Of moral excellence;
A genuinely good person
A just cause
An upright and respectable man
The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous
Good
Having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude;
Adept in handicrafts
An adept juggler
An expert job
A good mechanic
A practiced marksman
A proficient engineer
A lesser-known but no less skillful composer
The effect was achieved by skillful retouching
Good
Thorough;
Had a good workout
Gave the house a good cleaning
Good
With or in a close or intimate relationship;
A good friend
My sisters and brothers are near and dear
Good
Having or showing or arising from a desire to promote the welfare or happiness of others;
His benevolent smile
A benevolent nature
Good
Financially sound;
A good investment
A secure investment
Good
Most suitable or right for a particular purpose;
A good time to plant tomatoes
The right time to act
The time is ripe for great sociological changes
Good
Resulting favorably;
Its a good thing that I wasn't there
It is good that you stayed
It is well that no one saw you
All's well that ends well
Good
Exerting force or influence;
The law is effective immediately
A warranty good for two years
The law is already in effect (or in force)
Good
Feeling healthy and free of aches and pains;
I feel good
Good
Capable of pleasing;
Good looks
Good
Appealing to the mind;
Good music
A serious book
Good
In excellent physical condition;
Good teeth
I still have one good leg
A sound mind in a sound body
Good
Tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health;
Beneficial effects of a balanced diet
A good night's sleep
The salutary influence of pure air
Good
Not forged;
A good dollar bill
Good
Not left to spoil;
The meat is still good
Good
Generally admired;
Good taste
Good
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for `well');
The children behaved well
A task well done
The party went well
He slept well
A well-argued thesis
A well-planned party
The baby can walk pretty good
Good
In a complete and thorough manner (`good' is sometimes used informally for `thoroughly');
He was soundly defeated
We beat him good
Good
Of favorable character or quality.
She has always been a good student.
Good
Beneficial or advantageous.
Exercise is good for your health.
FAQs
Are both "Decent" and "Good" positive descriptors?
Yes, both are positive but "Good" is generally more affirmative than "Decent."
Can I use "Decent" when referring to quality?
Yes, "Decent" often implies satisfactory or moderate quality.
Does "Good" always mean morally right?
No, while "Good" can mean morally right, it also denotes quality or benefit based on context.
Can "Decent" be used to describe behavior?
Yes, "Decent" can describe respectable or appropriate behavior.
Is "Decent" a lesser compliment than "Good"?
Typically, yes. "Decent" suggests something is satisfactory, while "Good" implies a higher quality.
Can "Good" be used in a neutral context?
While "Good" is primarily positive, in certain contexts like "good day" it can be neutral.
Can a movie be described as both "Decent" and "Good"?
Yes, but it often indicates a difference in enthusiasm or appreciation.
Is "Decent" ever used in a negative context?
Rarely, but in some contexts, "Decent" can be used sarcastically or to mean just barely acceptable.
How do "Good" and "Decent" rank in terms of grading?
In general terms, "Good" would rank higher than "Decent."
Does "Good" always refer to high quality?
Not always. "Good" can denote average quality or simply a positive aspect, depending on context.
Is "Decent" used in formal writing?
While "Decent" is more common in informal contexts, it can appear in formal writing.
Can "Good" be used to describe taste?
Yes, "Good" can describe something that tastes pleasant or satisfying.
When should I choose "Good" over "Decent" in feedback?
Use "Good" when you want to positively affirm or appreciate something more strongly than "Decent."
Can "Decent" be synonymous with "Modest"?
Yes, especially when referring to behavior, appearance, or living conditions.
Can "Decent" describe moral standards?
Yes, it can mean adhering to moral or societal norms.
Is "Good" always an adjective?
Primarily, yes, but it can also be used as a noun, as in "for the common good."
Can "Decent" be used in comparative forms?
Yes, you can use forms like "more decent" or "less decent."
How is "Decent" used in the context of appearance?
It can mean presentable, modest, or satisfactory in terms of appearance.
Are there phrases where "Good" has a specific meaning?
Yes, like "good to go" meaning ready or "good for you" as a form of praise.
In which situations is "Good" most commonly used?
"Good" is versatile and can describe mood, quality, moral character, health, and more.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
