decent joke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decent joke" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a joke that is satisfactory or acceptable in quality, often implying that it is amusing but not exceptional. Example: "I heard a decent joke at the party last night that made everyone laugh."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

He managed a decent joke.

The Economist

It's a decent joke about women's bodies and clothing, sharpened by Satie's "Gnossienne No. 1".

The New York Times - Arts

It's a decent joke, about Corbyn's perceived piety and the impracticality of pure egalitarianism.

The Guardian

The show, though, often seemed more interested in proving that the elderly know what the Internet is than in delivering a decent joke.

The New York Times

One skit about two men chatting at a silent disco establishes its (decent) joke early, then just repeats it; we wait in vain for a surprise.

The Guardian

There's a decent joke in the idea that Matt's predilections make him an unusually attentive boyfriend: he has tea waiting for Laila, rubs her feet, whips up cupcakes in the kitchen.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I don't think it's just being able to write decent jokes and perform them decently, I think there is an element of something that you're born with.

Huffington Post

Unfortunately, Anna Wintour and Susan Boyle proved to be no substitute for decent jokes.

The Guardian - Film

But the five credited writers haven't managed to equip it with five decent jokes.

The Guardian

There are some decent jokes and a couple of well-made set pieces.

The Guardian - Books

Emerald Germs reads as if Patricia Highsmith's Ripley books had been rewritten by Ardal O'Hanlon, but without decent jokes.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decent joke", consider the context and audience. It implies a level of humor that is neither offensive nor exceptionally clever, making it appropriate for diverse settings.

Common error

While "decent joke" is acceptable, it might sound too informal for academic papers or business reports. In such cases, opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "moderately humorous anecdote" or "passably amusing jest" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decent joke" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "decent" modifies the noun "joke". It describes a joke that is of acceptable or moderate quality. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decent joke" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a joke of acceptable or moderate quality. Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and usable. While not extremely formal, it appears primarily in news and media sources. Related phrases include "moderately funny joke" and "fairly good joke". When writing, consider the context and audience, as more formal options exist for academic or business settings. Avoid overusing the phrase in formal contexts. Based on Ludwig's examples, it's a versatile phrase for everyday conversations and reviews.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately funny joke

Specifies the level of humor, indicating the joke is not extremely funny but still amusing.

passable joke

Implies the joke meets a minimum standard of acceptability.

reasonably amusing joke

Highlights the joke's ability to elicit amusement to a reasonable degree.

serviceable joke

Suggests the joke is adequate for its purpose, even if not particularly brilliant.

fairly good joke

Indicates a positive assessment of the joke's quality, though not exceptional.

tolerable joke

Implies that while the joke might not be great, it's bearable.

somewhat amusing joke

Emphasizes a slight degree of amusement.

okay joke

Indicates the joke is just acceptable, without being particularly good or bad.

mildly humorous joke

Highlights the gentle nature of the joke's humor.

not bad joke

Expresses a positive sentiment by negating a negative assessment.

FAQs

How can I describe a joke that is funnier than just "decent"?

To describe a funnier joke, you could use phrases like "hilarious joke", "uproarious joke", or "side-splitting joke", depending on the intensity of the humor.

What's a more formal way to say "decent joke"?

In a formal setting, you might prefer "moderately humorous remark" or "passably amusing anecdote". These options convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

Is it always appropriate to use "decent joke" in written English?

While generally acceptable, "decent joke" might not be suitable for highly formal or academic writing. Consider the context and audience to ensure the phrase fits the overall tone.

What are some situations where "decent joke" would be a good fit?

"Decent joke" works well in casual conversations, informal reviews, or blog posts where a moderately amusing joke is being described. It's appropriate when you want to indicate the joke is okay but not exceptional.