decencies
C1/C2Formal
Definition
Meaning
The plural noun referring to socially accepted standards of moral or proper behaviour.
Commonly refers to the basic requirements for a decent standard of living or the minimum acceptable standards of behaviour in society; often used in phrases like "the decencies" to imply expected norms of conduct.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The plural form is far more common than the singular 'decency' in specific contexts. It often carries a sense of collective, external societal standards rather than individual virtue. Can be used somewhat critically or ironically to refer to outdated or restrictive norms.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term identically in meaning and form. Slight preference in UK English for the phrase "common decencies."
Connotations
In both varieties, it can imply a degree of stuffiness or conservative social expectation when used in certain contexts (e.g., "Victorian decencies").
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech in both regions, primarily found in formal writing, journalism, and academic discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
observe + the + decenciesbe beneath + the + decenciesa lack of + decenciesVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “observe the decencies”
- “be beneath the decencies”
- “the common decencies of life”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in corporate ethics guidelines: 'The company expects all partners to observe basic business decencies.'
Academic
Found in sociology, philosophy, and law texts discussing social norms and moral frameworks.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Used in formal discussions about societal expectations or moral decline.
Technical
Not a technical term in any major field.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They felt compelled to decency their public behaviour.
American English
- There is no verb form derived directly from 'decencies'.
adverb
British English
- He acted decently, observing all the social decencies.
American English
- She treated him decently, upholding the basic decencies.
adjective
British English
- He maintained a decency-driven approach to life.
American English
- Her actions were motivated by decency considerations.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Good people follow the basic decencies.
- He forgot the simple decencies of saying 'please' and 'thank you'.
- The politician was accused of violating the common decencies of public office.
- Even in war, there are certain decencies that should be observed.
- Their argument was conducted with a startling lack of the ordinary decencies of civilised debate.
- The novel satirises the hypocritical decencies of Victorian society.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'decent' + 'cities'. A decent city would have social 'decencies' like politeness and respect.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL NORMS ARE BOUNDARIES (e.g., 'transgress the decencies', 'observe the decencies').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'приличия' in all contexts, as the Russian word can be more narrowly about outward propriety. 'Decencies' can include material and moral standards. Do not confuse with 'достойности' (worthies).
Common Mistakes
- Using it as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'show some decencies' is wrong; correct is 'show some decency'). Overusing in informal contexts where 'manners' or 'standards' would suffice.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'decencies' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but its usage is specialised. The singular 'decency' is more abstract ('a sense of decency'). The plural 'decencies' refers specifically to particular standards or acts considered decent.
It would sound very formal or old-fashioned. In everyday speech, words like 'manners', 'basic respect', or 'standards' are more common.
They are very close synonyms. 'Proprieties' can sometimes emphasise formal, rule-based correctness, while 'decencies' can lean more towards a moral or humane standard, but the distinction is subtle.
Extremely rare. The countable use is almost exclusively in the plural ('the decencies'). An act of decency would be referred to as 'an act of decency', not 'a decency'.