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respectabilitythe quality of being regarded by society as honest, decent, and having good morals

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: the quality of being regarded by society as honest, decent, and having good morals

Pronunciation (IPA): /rɪˌspektəˈbɪləti/

Example Sentences

  • His respectability was shattered when his secret double life was exposed
  • She wore pearls to add an air of respectability to her punk rock outfit
  • The company hired a PR firm to restore its respectability after the scandal

respectability

NOUN

[/rɪˌspektəˈbɪləti/]

the quality of being regarded by society as honest, decent, and having good morals

The mayor guards his respectability by shaking every hand at the town parade.
💡 Concept

The mayor guards his respectability by shaking every hand at the town parade.

Respect-able gent — earns respectability with decent intent!
🧠 Mnemonic

Respect-able gent — earns respectability with decent intent!

True respectability ensures perfect detectability!
🎵 Rhyme

True respectability ensures perfect detectability!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/rɪˌspektəˈbɪləti/
🇬🇧 UK/rɪˌspektəˈbɪləti/

🌳Etymology

Rootrespect
Suffix--ability

Origin

From Latin 'respectus' meaning 'regard' or 'consideration,' formed from 're-' (back) + 'specere' (to look). The English word developed through the adjective 'respectable' plus the noun suffix '-ability.'

Breakdown

re- (back/again) + spect (to look) + -able (worthy of) + -ity (state/quality)

🎵Rhyme

acceptabilityrespectabilitydetectability
acceptability
respectability
detectability

🔗Collocations

social respectability
maintain respectability
bourgeois respectability
respectability politics
veneer of respectability

📝Examples

His respectability was shattered when his secret double life was exposed

😄 Fun example

She wore pearls to add an air of respectability to her punk rock outfit

The company hired a PR firm to restore its respectability after the scandal

😄 Fun example

My grandmother's obsession with respectability meant we couldn't even chew gum in public

📚Related Words

Synonyms

dignityreputationhonordecencypropriety

Antonyms

disreputedisgracedishonor

Related

respectablerespectfulrespectedprestigestatus

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