Social appearance; concern for how one appears in the eyes of society. The sense of maintaining decency or reputation.
世間体を気にして、自分の本当の気持ちを言えなかった。
I couldn't say how I really felt because I was worried about appearances.
彼は世間体のために高い車を買った。
He bought an expensive car for the sake of appearances.
世間体が悪いので、その話は公にされなかった。
Because it would look bad publicly, the matter was not made public.