decent money

USAGE SUMMARY

'decent money' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an amount of money that is above average or can help someone achieve their goals. For example, "He's been saving for a car for years, and now he finally has enough decent money to buy one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I earned decent money in England.

The Guardian - Sport

You wait tables and make some decent money.

The New Yorker

He has made decent money, by European standards.

The Washington Post

A saxophonist was down the street, making decent money.

The New York Times

Anyone on decent money had to be let go.

The Guardian - Sport

A couple of clubs offered him deals, decent money.

The Guardian - Sport

And the odds of making some decent money?

The Guardian - Sport

"I was making pretty decent money, and we didn't need two incomes," Sharie went on.

The New Yorker

What am I good at that could also pay decent money?

The New York Times - Magazine

We are in a decent profession, earning decent money, to support decent families".

The New Yorker

Barclays will choose to fight only where it thinks it can make decent money.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decent money" when you want to convey that someone is earning a better-than-average income, sufficient for a comfortable lifestyle or to achieve certain goals.

Common error

Avoid using "decent money" to describe extremely high incomes. It is more appropriate for describing earnings that are comfortably above average, not exorbitant wealth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decent money" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "decent" modifies the noun "money". Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is commonly used. It describes an amount of money considered satisfactory or above average.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decent money" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an income that is above average, sufficient for a comfortable lifestyle. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's widely used in various contexts, including news and general conversation. While more formal alternatives like "fair compensation" or "reasonable income" exist, "decent money" strikes a balance between accessibility and professionalism. Avoid using it for extremely high incomes; it's best suited for describing earnings that are comfortably above average but not exorbitant. It's a versatile phrase for conveying a positive financial situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonable income

Replaces "money" with "income", focusing on regular earnings.

substantial earnings

Substitutes "decent" with "substantial", emphasizing a significant amount.

comfortable wage

Uses "wage" instead of "money", implying hourly or salaried compensation.

fair compensation

Replaces both words to focus on equitable payment.

respectable salary

Uses "respectable" and "salary" to suggest a professional context.

good remuneration

Replaces "money" with "remuneration", making it more formal.

livable income

Focuses on the ability to sustain oneself with the income.

adequate financial resources

More formal and emphasizes available funds.

sufficient funds

Focuses on having enough money for a specific purpose.

healthy profit

Implies income from business or investments.

FAQs

How can I use "decent money" in a sentence?

You can use "decent money" to describe an income that is above average and allows for a comfortable lifestyle. For example, "She earns "decent money" as a software engineer."

What are some alternatives to saying "decent money"?

Alternatives include "reasonable income", "substantial earnings", or "comfortable wage", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "decent money" in formal writing?

While "decent money" is widely understood, more formal alternatives such as "fair compensation" or "good remuneration" may be more suitable for formal or professional contexts.

What does "decent money" imply about someone's financial situation?

"Decent money" suggests that someone earns enough to cover their basic needs and have some discretionary income, implying a comfortable, though not necessarily luxurious, lifestyle.