re·spect·abil·i·ty \-ˌspektəˈbiləd.ē, -lətē, -i\noun 1. a.: the quality or state of being respectable b.: the status of being respectable : consequence 2. a.: a respectable person : respectable persons < the respectability of the town > b.: a respectable convention : decency < those little respectabilities that make group life bearable >