How to pronounce decent
Say it like DEE-sunt. Decent has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEE).
- DEE
- sunt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Decent pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- suntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of decent
American and British speakers say decent in essentially the same way: /ˈdisənt/ in the US and /ˈdiːsənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: DEE-sunt.
What does decent mean?
- socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous“from a decent family”“a nice girl”
- in harmony with the spirit of particular persons or occasion“a decent burial”“We have come to dedicate a portion of that field...It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this”
- conforming to conventions of sexual behavior“speech in this circle, if not always decent, never became lewd”
- in the right manner; correctly; suitably“please do your job properly!”“can't you carry me decent?”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with decent
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of decent.
Questions about saying decent
How do you pronounce decent?
Say DEE-sunt. The American pronunciation is /ˈdisənt/. In British English it is /ˈdiːsənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in decent?
Decent has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEE). Broken into parts: DEE · sunt.
Do Americans and Brits say decent the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdisənt/ and the British form is /ˈdiːsənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.