respectability
19
4.6
- noun
- /rɪˌspɛk təˈbɪl ɪ ti/
:
respetabilidad
- Her carefully chosen words and elegant attire added to her respectability at the formal gathering.
- middle-class respectability
- quest for respectability
- gaining respectability
Is there another governmental currency that has more respectability, less inflation?
- Is there another governmental currency that has more respectability, less inflation?
- the US listing gave Tingo the appearance of respectability.
- I'm just saying respectability is the unique prison where all of the gates are open and the inmates beg to stay inside.
- I want to say what we call respectability politics.
Examples
-
The story thus appropriates the ideals and symbols of middle-class respectability to assert the value of working-class experience.
Academic text (1996) -
Middle-class Americans tend to place great value on home ownership, neighborhood respectability, and education.
Academic text (1990) -
We gotta clean up a little bit, show some respectability.
-
This is your last chance of respectability.
-
Latin gives a new school an air of respectability.
-
With his wife, head of the Law and Order League, Gatewood appears the picture of respectability.
Academic text (1999) -
Nothing like a pastor or two to add respectability to a get-together.
Fiction book (1991) -
We've maintained a reputation for respectability for 33 years.
-
Miners' style and assertions of manliness laid claim to a middle-class norm of respectability and status.
Academic text (1996) -
Most newcomers did not conform to Chicagoans' carefully cultivated standards of respectability, especially in regard to leisure and consumption habits.
Academic text (1999)
Synonyms
∞
2.2
Respect given to a person for good moral behavior
398
3.2
Calm, respectful behaviour that shows self-respect in hard times
155
3.0
Polite, respectful behavior that follows common social rules
62
5.1
High respect and admiration that people give for success or power
53
3.8
A way of behaving and speaking that follows social rules and polite manners
27
7.4
Behavior that most people think is correct in a situation
11
8.7
A sign that makes someone or something seem more respected and important
8
6.7
The opinion people have of someone, often about how respected they are
5
4.8
How much people think something is good enough
1
6.6
A quality of being respected and trusted by many people
A quality that shows polite, honest behavior and neat clothes
Good behaviour that follows social rules and shows respect for others
How suitable something is for a group or situation
A quality of being respected and admired because of success, power, or money
A quality of being honest and fair that earns respect
Being worthy of deep respect and honour
The quality of being seen as normal in a group or society
Antonyms
How Respectable
Surface Forms
Morphology
respectability = respectable (transparent) = respect + able + ity
Formed by adding the noun-forming suffix '-ity' to the adjective 'respectable', so the nominal meaning is directly predictable.
Etymology
Respectability comes from respect (from a Latin idea meaning 'to look back at' or 'regard') plus the ending -ability meaning 'can be'. So respectability is the quality of being someone people 'regard' as proper, acceptable, and having a good reputation.