Decently good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Decently good" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is better than average but not outstanding, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "The movie was decently good, providing an entertaining experience without being a blockbuster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

They use decently good chocolate.

HuffPost

I'm only a decently good time-manager myself.

Huffington Post

True wellness is such an extreme, underground movement, one that costs a lot of money, when things that promote decently good health should be a universal convenience.

Vice

Wellness is such an extreme, underground movement, one that costs a lot of money, when access to things that promote decently good health should be a right.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Even Henry Ford understood that paying workers decently was good for business and good for the economy.

Forbes

"Their lives aren't great and yet, I have a decently pretty good life.

Los Angeles Times

The good news is that CPG brands are doing decently well when it comes to Innovative.

Forbes

If each of these competing mobile platforms had 100 really good applications that covered the most popular use-cases, they'd probably be a lot better off than having a hundred thousand apps that work decently well.

TechCrunch

Fresh water works decently as well.

WikiHow

We are always decently dressed — always wear good silk saris.

The New Yorker

The digital mailbag spilled forth questions from bros today, from yet more people with dietary restrictions, from birthday celebrators and nice if narrow-minded people looking for good food, decently priced.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decently good" when you want to express that something is better than average but not exceptional. It's suitable for informal contexts where a more precise term isn't necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "decently good" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated terms like "moderately good", "reasonably good", or "satisfactory" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decently good" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to indicate a level of quality that is above average but not outstanding. This usage is supported by Ludwig's analysis, which identifies it as both grammatically correct and understandable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decently good" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that is better than average but not exceptional. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, particularly in informal contexts. While the phrase is not very common, its meaning is clear and it can be a useful way to express moderate satisfaction. For more formal writing, consider alternatives such as "moderately good" or "reasonably good".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Moderately good

Replaces "decently" with "moderately", indicating a similar level of quality.

Reasonably good

Substitutes "decently" with "reasonably", suggesting an acceptable or satisfactory level of goodness.

Fairly good

Uses "fairly" instead of "decently", conveying an adequate or passable level of quality.

Passably good

Emphasizes that something is "good" but only to a passable extent.

Acceptably good

Highlights that the level of "good" is acceptable or satisfactory.

Sufficiently good

Focuses on the adequacy of the goodness, implying it meets a certain requirement.

Quite good

Suggests a level of goodness that is noticeable but not outstanding.

Somewhat good

Indicates a partial or limited degree of goodness.

Serviceable

Indicates something is functioning adequately and useful for its purpose

Not bad

An informal way to say something is "good" without being overly enthusiastic.

FAQs

What does "decently good" mean?

"Decently good" means something is better than average, but not exceptionally good. It suggests a moderate level of quality or satisfaction.

Is "decently good" formal or informal?

"Decently good" is generally considered informal. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "moderately good" or "reasonably good".

How can I use "decently good" in a sentence?

You might say, "The restaurant's food was decently good, but the service was slow", or "The movie was decently good; I enjoyed it, but it wasn't a masterpiece".

What are some synonyms for "decently good"?

Synonyms for "decently good" include "fairly good", "passably good", and "acceptably good". Choose the best alternative based on the specific context.