decency

views updated May 21 2018

de·cen·cy / ˈdēsənsē/ • n. (pl. -cies) behavior that conforms to accepted standards of morality or respectability: she had the decency to come and confess. ∎  modesty and propriety. ∎  (decencies) the requirements of accepted or respectable behavior: an appeal to decencies. ∎  (decencies) things required for a reasonable standard of life.