Good vs. Decent — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 1, 2023
Good implies a high quality or favorable nature, while decent suggests something being adequate or acceptable.
Difference Between Good and Decent
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Good" is a highly versatile adjective often used to describe something positive or of high quality. In contrast, "decent" generally implies a satisfactory or adequate level, without necessarily reaching the heights of being good. While a good performance can be impressive, a decent performance is acceptable but not outstanding.
In terms of morality and ethics, good often implies virtue, righteousness, or commendable behavior. Decent, on the other hand, tends to suggest behavior that meets a basic standard of respectability or propriety. A good person is often seen as someone with exceptional moral qualities, while a decent person is considered to be fair and respectable.
When it comes to personal feelings or satisfaction, saying something is good often expresses a high level of contentment or approval. Conversely, describing something as decent suggests moderate satisfaction. For instance, a good meal might be highly enjoyable and flavorful, whereas a decent meal is satisfactory but not particularly memorable.
In the context of social and economic status, being in a good position often implies a state of comfort, security, or success. A decent position, by contrast, might indicate that basic needs and standards are met, but without the connotations of abundance or excess. A person with a good income likely enjoys a comfortable lifestyle, while someone with a decent income manages to cover necessities without much luxury.
Good is often used in a broader sense and can apply to various aspects of quality, morality, and personal feelings. Decent, however, usually denotes a more specific and often narrower range, leaning towards adequacy or basic respectability. A good book can be exceptional and highly praised, whereas a decent book is simply an acceptable read without major flaws.
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Comparison Chart
Connotation
Higher quality or standard
Acceptable or adequate
Usage
Expressing strong approval
Indicating sufficiency or modesty
Implication in Morality
Often implies moral righteousness
More about societal norms
Emotional Intensity
Can express strong positivity
Usually more moderate and measured
Versatility
Broad usage across contexts
Often used in specific contexts of adequacy
Compare with Definitions
Good
High quality
The food at that restaurant is really good.
Decent
Adequate or satisfactory
The hotel room was decent for the price.
Good
Morally right
She is known for her good deeds.
Decent
Conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behaviour
A decent clean-living individual
Good
Pleasant or enjoyable
We had a good time at the party.
Decent
Of an acceptable standard; satisfactory
People need decent homes
Good
In most contexts, the concept of good denotes the conduct that should be preferred when posed with a choice between possible actions. Good is generally considered to be the opposite of evil, and is of interest in the study of morality, ethics, religion and philosophy.
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
To be desired or approved of
Good! The more people the better!
A good quality of life
It's good that he's back to his old self
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
Having the required qualities; of a high standard
His marks are just not good enough
A good restaurant
Decent
Kind or obliging
Very decent of them to lend you money.
Good
Possessing or displaying moral virtue
Her father was a good man
Decent
Showing thoughtfulness or consideration
Let a decent interval go by before calling.
Good
Giving pleasure; enjoyable or satisfying
The streets fill up with people looking for a good time
Decent
Free from indelicacy or obscenity; clean
Decent television programming for children.
Good
Thorough
Now is the time to have a really good clear-up
Have a good look around
Decent
Fairly good; acceptable; satisfactory
Finally got a decent night's sleep.
Made decent wages in the new job.
Good
Valid
The ticket is good for travel from May to September
Decent
Suitable; fitting
Had nothing decent to wear to the reception.
Good
Used in conjunction with the name of God or a related expression as an exclamation of extreme surprise or anger
Good heavens!
Decent
(Informal) Properly or modestly dressed
The guests are here—are you decent?.
Good
That which is morally right; righteousness
A mysterious balance of good and evil
Decent
(obsolete) Appropriate; suitable for the circumstances.
Good
Benefit or advantage to someone or something
He is too clever for his own good
He convinces his father to use his genius for the good of mankind
The preservation of old buildings matters because they contribute to the general public good
Decent
(of a person) Having a suitable conformity to basic moral standards; showing integrity, fairness, or other characteristics associated with moral uprightness.
Good
Merchandise or possessions
Imports of luxury goods
The market price of an agricultural good
Stolen goods
Decent
(informal) Sufficiently clothed or dressed to be seen.
Are you decent? May I come in?
Good
Well
I'm feeling pretty good, all things considered
My mother could never cook this good
Decent
Fair; acceptable; okay.
He's a decent saxophonist, but probably not good enough to make a career of it.
Good
Being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor
A good experience.
Good news from the hospital.
Decent
Significant; substantial.
There are a decent number of references out there, if you can find them.
Good
Having the qualities that are desirable or distinguishing in a particular thing
A good exterior paint.
A good joke.
Decent
Conforming to perceived standards of good taste.
Good
Serving the desired purpose or end; suitable
Is this a good dress for the party?.
Decent
(obsolete) Comely; shapely; well-formed.
Good
Not spoiled or ruined
The milk is still good.
Decent
Suitable in words, behavior, dress, or ceremony; becoming; fit; decorous; proper; seemly; as, decent conduct; decent language.
Before his decent steps.
Good
In excellent condition; sound
A good tooth.
Decent
Free from immodesty or obscenity; modest.
Good
Superior to the average; satisfactory
A good student.
Decent
Comely; shapely; well-formed.
A sable stole of cyprus lawnOver thy decent shoulders drawn.
By foreign hands thy decent limbs composed.
Good
Used formerly to refer to the US Government grade of meat higher than standard and lower than choice.
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
Of high quality
Good books.
Decent
Socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous;
From a decent family
A nice girl
Good
Discriminating
Good taste.
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
Of moral excellence; upright
A good person.
Decent
Conforming to conventions of sexual behavior;
Speech in this circle, if not always decent, never became lewd
Good
Benevolent; kind
A good soul.
A good heart.
Decent
Enough to meet a purpose;
An adequate income
The food was adequate
A decent wage
Enough food
Food enough
Good
Loyal; staunch
A good Republican.
Decent
Decently clothed;
Are you decent?
Good
Well-behaved; obedient
A good child.
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
Socially correct; proper
Good manners.
Decent
In the right manner;
Please do your job properly!
Can't you carry me decent?
Good
Worthy of respect; honorable
Ruined the family's good name.
Decent
Morally acceptable
He's a decent person with good values.
Good
Attractive; handsome
Good looks.
Decent
Appropriately clothed
Make sure you are decent before answering the door.
Good
Beneficial to health; salutary
A good night's rest.
Decent
Fairly good
She did a decent job on her project.
Good
Competent; skilled
A good machinist.
Decent
Respectable or presentable
He always maintains a decent appearance.
Good
Complete; thorough
A good workout.
Good
Reliable; sure
A good investment.
Good
Valid or true
A good reason.
Good
Genuine; real
A good dollar bill.
Good
In effect; operative
A warranty good for two years.
A driver's license that is still good.
Good
Ready or able for a specified or assumed activity
I'm good for another round of golf.
Good
Able to pay or contribute
Is she good for the money that you lent her?.
Good
Able to elicit a specified reaction
He is always good for a laugh.
Good
Ample; substantial
A good income.
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
Healthy or beneficial
Regular exercise is good for you.
Good
Skillful or competent
He is good at playing the guitar.
Common Curiosities
Is "good" a stronger compliment than "decent"?
Yes, "good" generally implies a higher level of quality.
Does "good" always imply moral goodness?
Not always, but it can be used in that context.
Can "good" be used in academic contexts?
Yes, like saying someone has a good understanding of a subject.
Can "decent" imply ethical behavior?
Yes, it can mean morally acceptable or decent behavior.
Can "decent" imply just meeting the minimum?
Yes, it often means something is adequate but not exceptional.
Is "decent" less emotional than "good"?
Generally, yes. "Decent" is more measured and moderate.
Is "decent" used for modesty?
Yes, it's often used to express modest or adequate quality.
Can "decent" mean average?
Yes, it can imply something is neither bad nor excellent.
Does "good" always indicate approval?
Mostly, but context can sometimes change its implication.
Is "decent" often used in clothing contexts?
Yes, especially in terms of being appropriately dressed.
Is "good" used to describe tastes?
Yes, like saying something tastes good.
Can "decent" mean respectable?
Yes, it can imply a level of respectability or presentability.
Is "good" used for health advice?
Yes, like suggesting something is good for your health.
Can "good" imply skill or competence?
Yes, it can refer to someone being good at something.
Does "good" have multiple meanings?
Yes, it's a versatile word with various applications.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
