chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows.
they maintained chaste relations
pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions.
the pure of heart
modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity.
preferred more modest swimsuits
decent people didn't go to such movies
Example Sentences
Not long afterward, his father's health starts to fail. Mrs. Queenan has kicked him out, and he's landed in a flophouse. When word reaches Joe, he takes out his checkbook and moves his father into a decent apartment. James McManus, New York Times Book Review, 26 Apr. 2009In a whiney, rambling speech at his sentencing he took a page from the script of the earlier case, once again portraying himself as a flawed but decent man unfairly caught up in circumstances. Bill Hewitt et al., People, 22 Dec. 2008Tommy Railles, the doctor's boy. Just a great kid. Smart at school, a decent athlete, great with the girls, wonderful with older people. Ward Just, Forgetfulness, (2006) 2007The next time an overly friendly blond sidles up in a crowded bar and asks you to order her a brand-name martini, or a cheery tourist couple wonder whether you can take their picture with their sleek new camera-in-a-cell phone, you might want to think twice. There's a decent chance that these strangers are pitchmen in disguise, paid to oh-so-subtly pique your interest in their product. Paul McFedries, Word Spy, 2004 I don't understand how so decent a person could be involved with this kind of crime. He is a decent guy who would help anyone in need. You need to do the decent thing and tell her what happened. Are there any decent schools in that area? I've got to get some decent clothes. See More
Recent Examples on the WebThe rear seats are a comfortable place to be, with a decent amount of leg room and some USB ports in the fold-down armrest, although the back is probably more suitable for two people than three. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 13 Sep. 2022 CoffeeAndMilk Not to brag or anything, but my lips take up a decent amount of real estate on my face. Tatjana Freund, ELLE, 30 Aug. 2022 The mighty little legumes are low-calorie while packing a decent amount of fiber, protein, and other nutrients. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2022 Well, that is an affront to all that’s good and decent. Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Sep. 2022 Viserys is a good and decent man, traits that may hamper his ability to be a strong ruler, Best says. Bill Keveney, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2022 Mainland investors were more positive on Hong Kong stocks buying a decent +$121mm of Hong Kong stocks today. Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 Saturday and Sunday are pretty much twins, with partly sunny skies and a decent chance for afternoon-evening showers and storms. David Streit, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2022 At present, Seattle is expected to tie that record on Saturday, but there’s a decent chance that Sunday could hit 90, too. Matthew Cappucci, BostonGlobe.com, 29 July 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin decent-, decens, present participle of decēre to be fitting; akin to Latin decus honor, dignus worthy, Greek dokein to seem, seem good